McCAIN-McMILLIN, ISOBEL ROSEMARY
Isobel Rosemary McCain-McMillin was born on October 17, 1926 in Fredericton, N. B. to Dr. Kenneth and Isobel Baird and passed peacefully at her home on May 27, 2016 surrounded by her family. She often joked that she was conceived in China and born in Canada as her parents were posted there as medical missionaries. This beginning foreshadowed the world travels she would take – but she forever remembered her NB roots.
Rosemary grew up in Saint John, and as the fifth child but first girl she was always telling stories of being one of the boys. After high school, she enrolled in nursing school and graduated as an R.N. She loved it and always said that it was the best career she could have chosen.
After finishing nurses’ training, she had the opportunity to practice in Bath. There she met Robert McCain (Bob) in June 1949 and by Christmas they were married. Rosemary and Bob settled in Florenceville where they raised four children who were the centre of their world. They became integral in the community, with Rosemary active in her Church, the Women’s Institute and Eastern Star. When Bob became sick in 1974, she learned everything she needed about dialysis and enabled her husband to stay at home for a number of years. When Bob died in 1977 Rosemary picked up the pieces of her life and continued without her soul mate.
In 1979 while in Florida she met and later married George Gyetvai, a widower, from Detroit. She and George moved to Fredericton and they had 10 great years together. After a lengthy battle against cancer, she lost George and again stored her memories and moved forward, living for her children, church and community.
When visiting her daughter Beth in Nova Scotia in 1991, she met Andrew McMillin, a widowed, retired Commodore in the Canadian Navy. They married and spent the next twenty-one years travelling the world, yet maintaining their roots in Fredericton and Florida. They both enjoyed their children, grandchildren and their summers at Skiff Lake. In 2013 Andrew succumbed to cancer.
In her later years, Rosemary decided to focus on supporting the community of her birth, Fredericton – a city she loved. Her special interests were her church, the community, the disadvantaged youth, and those who needed a hand up. It was not only the youth of Fredericton that she supported, she was also very involved in supporting the children of the world, through Samaratan’s Purse. She has been active in giving to the local Hospice, Partners for Youth, YMCA and the Fredericton Community Foundation.
She is survived by her siblings David, Gordon, Donal, Maclure and Audrey, her children and their spouses; Beth, (Will) Andrew (Debra), Mary and grandchildren – Robert (Victoria), Karin, Christine, Bob, Alex, Kaitlyn, Graham, William, Adrienne, and great-grandchildren – Liam, Laura and Jonathan.
She is predeceased by her brother Gordon, son Kirk and husbands Robert, George and Andrew.
A celebration of life will be held at 1pm on May 31st, 2016 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 512 Charlotte Street, Fredericton NB.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fredericton Community Foundation, Partners for Youth or Fredericton Hospice.
Online condolences may be made at www.mcadamsfh.com