Obituary of Mary Anne Coates

Mary Anne (Campbell) Coates died peacefully at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital on June 11th, 2025. She was born February 28th, 1942, in Springhill, Nova Scotia, and was the eldest daughter of the late Pius James Campbell and Francis Ann O’Rourke. She grew up in Amherst Nova Scotia.

Mary Anne is remembered as being an avid reader and card player. After graduating from high school, she pursued her studies in Charlottetown, PEI, where she trained to be a nurse. She had a varied career spanning from working at the Amherst Regional Hospital, campus nurse at Mount Allison University, a private nurse for several years and lastly an instructor at the University of New Brunswick English Language Program. She valued education, not only for her daughters and herself, and would earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University in 1995. Once she retired, she kept herself busy volunteering with the Girl Guides program where she was known as helper owl. She resumed bridge playing which she played until she became ill in December. She was a member of the parish counsel of St. Mary Magdalene Parish. She also practiced yoga weekly and attended Zoomers, a workout class for seniors, and volunteered with CARMA. Her daughters live away yet she was able to make many visits to Alberta and Nunavut to visit with her daughters and grandsons.

Mary Anne was predeceased by her daughter Margaret Jay Elizabeth Coates. She is survived by her beloved sister and best friend Margaret Campbell, her two daughters Susan Coates (Tim Cusack) and Samantha McDermott (Patrick) and her five grandsons Patrick, Nicholas Cusack (Lana), Ian (Nishaly), Alexander (Anna), and Nicholas McDermott.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at the hospital who took such great care of our mother over the past 6 months.

Visitation will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home on Friday, June 13, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Sts. John and Paul Catholic Church on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 1:00 pm, followed by a reception in the church basement. Fr. Peter Osborne will be the Celebrant. Interment will take place in Nova Scotia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Oromocto SPCA would be appreciated.