Obituary of Carolyn Jane Atkinson

It is with great sadness that the family of Carolyn Jane Atkinson, nee Crawford, announce her passing in her 94th year on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Windsor Court in Fredericton with her family by her side.

 

Mom was born in Blackville, NB, on December 29, 1930, the youngest daughter of the late Harold and Ethel (Underwood) Crawford. She was married for 63 years to her soulmate, our dad, Alfred Bruce Atkinson who passed away on February 21, 2019.

 

Mom was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt and will be greatly missed by her two sons, Peter (Gina) and Jamie (Sheila) Atkinson and her three grandchildren, Zachary (Roxana), Jennifer (Steven) and Kaelan (Destiny) and her great-grandchildren Claudia and Noah (Zachary’s children). She will also be missed by her brother George A. and her sister-in-law Elaine Crawford and several nieces and nephews and their families as well as many friends. Beside her husband she was predeceased by her brothers and their spouses: John and Jeanette, Wilson and Sadie, and Hugh Crawford, and her sisters Katherine and Margaret Crawford as well as her brothers-in-law and their spouses: Hubert and Phyllis, Ted and Marjorie Atkinson and sister-in-law Alice and her spouse Leslie McQuinn.

 

Mom graduated from Blackville High School in 1947 and moved to Fredericton to attend Secretarial College. After graduation from college she held several positions in government in the offices of Premier John B. McNair, secretary to Premier Hugh John Flemming and for 17 years as appointment and scheduling secretary for Premier Richard Hatfield. As a result of this position she met royalty, astronauts, prominent politicians and world leaders as well as entertainers and world renowned authors. She was a long standing member of the Conservative Party of New Brunswick. Mom became a close friend of Aida Flemming, Hugh John’s wife, and shared Aida’s passion for animal welfare through the Kindness Club. While working for Premier Hatfield, Mom helped initiate the provincial Christmas Tree Lighting program that became a national event.

 

She was a member of the Wilmot United Church and in her early years was an active member of the UCW, Sunday School and as an Elder of the Church. She was also active in a number of other groups and committees including the Wisemenettes. One of her memorable accomplishments was the development of a quilt that depicted the history and families of the Wilmot Church.

 

Mom had a passion for gardening as evidenced in her beautiful gardens around their homes and was a poet of haiku and an artist. We have many cherished articles of her poetry and artistry to remember her by. She was a friend of Alden Nowlan who encouraged her writing as well was a member of the Wilmot Writer’s Group. Mom was a very accomplished woman and was regularly taking classes to enrich her love of knowledge and learning. She made a number of quilts over the years, most memorable was her Christmas quilt of our family memories. She hand embroidered many of the squares on their cross Canada road trip in 1991. Mom loved to collect New Brunswick crafts and over the years accumulated quite a collection of pottery, artwork and woven baskets. She also had a flare for antiques and collectables. In later years Mom and Dad took up dancing and could be found among friends stepping to the music of The Thomists band. They also enjoyed traveling to Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and Italy as well as across Canada and parts of the USA.

 

Mom loved being a grandmother to her three grandchildren, introducing them to her love of poetry, gardening, painting and classical music. She spent many hours hiding Easter eggs in the forest behind their house so everyone could participate in the egg hunt. The forest became a magical fairy garden and great place to play hide and seek. Mom often said how blessed she was to see her great-grandchildren and have a relationship with them. In her last years, Claudia and Noah were a constant joy as she marvelled at their quick wit and never ending imagination. 

 

The family would like to acknowledge the incredible staff of Windsor Court for their care and friendship to Carolyn and to her family physician, Dr. Kyle Gillis, who was very compassionate and supported us through difficult decisions. We also want to thank Tena Thompson for her wonderful care and friendship with Mom over the past few years.

 

A memorial service will be held in early January 2025. For those who wish to make a donation, please support your local foodbank in Carolyn’s memory. Funeral arrangements are being handled by McAdam’s Funeral Home in Fredericton.