It is with great sorrow that the children of Margaret A.Whelton of Bathurst, NB announce her death, which occurred on March 31st after a short illness.
Born Margaret Cullinan in Saint John, NB, Margaret was the daughter of Anne (Walsh) and J. Francis Cullinan, and one of ten siblings all of whom shared fond memories of growing up on Douglas Avenue.
Margaret started her working life in Saint John. Her life changed when her sister Betty’s fiancé introduced her to a fellow law student, Vincent Whelton. Margaret and Vince shared core values of faith, love, family and laughter, and fashioned a joyful marriage that lasted for 57 years. They began their married life in Edmonton, Alberta, and loved the west, but found that it was too far from the east. They moved back to Bathurst in 1953, where Margaret became an enthusiastic and well-loved member of the Whelton clan.
While Vince toiled and prospered in the wider world, Margaret’s priority and concentration was on home and family. The family grew to include six children: Mary (Varouje) Kouyoumdjian, Bernard, Stephen (Suzelle), and Elizabeth (Dale McMeekin), Brian, who died in infancy in 1963, and Vincent Jr., who died in 1992 at the age of 27. Margaret and Vince were the proud and loving grandparents of Aram and Raffi Kouyoumdjian and Melissa Sue Whelton and Cynthia (Francois) Godin.
Throughout her lifetime, Margaret enjoyed varied activities and hobbies at home and in the community. She was active in the CWL for more than 50 years. For many years, she lent her voice to the Sacred Heart Cathedral choir. She loved to knit and crochet, producing many beautiful and intricate pieces. Her interest in bridge led to a passion for duplicate bridge. She was a member of the Bathurst Duplicate Bridge Club, the Nepisiquit Duplicate Bridge Club, and the American Contract Bridge League, which certified her to a rank of Master. She became interested in computers several years ago and relished emailing and surfing the world.
Margaret is survived by her sisters, Betty Smith, Teresa Chiarot, and Valerie Johnson, and her brothers, Frank, John, Donald, and Bernard. She was predeceased by her brothers Louis and Gerald. She is also survived by many Whelton in-laws, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
Margaret lost Vincent just a year ago, in March 2009. Throughout their lives they shared their strong faith in God and life everlasting, and they are now together for eternity.
Visitation will take place at Elhatton’s Funeral Home on Monday, April 5 from 2 - 4 pm and from 7 – 9 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 6 at 11 am at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Palliative Care at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, or a favourite charity. (www.elhatton.com)
