Obituary of Marilyn Elizabeth Burtt

The family of Marilyn Elizabeth Burtt sadly announces she passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on February 2, 2026, at Pine Grove Nursing Home. She was born on November 24, 1933, in Quarryville, New Brunswick, and was the daughter of Mary and Lindsay Jardine.

Some of her happiest memories included time spent with her parents and siblings in the family’s large home on the banks of the Miramichi River. Her father operated a small farm, and her mother ran a boarding house for workers and sports who came to fish and hunt. While Marilyn worked as a local license teacher and court secretary, she often helped her mother serve countless meals to their many guests.

Growing up, Marilyn loved to attend local dances. She would often say that she would rather dance than eat. She fell in love with Ralph MacDonald, and they married and had one child, Heather, in 1955. Tragedy struck their young family in 1956 when everyone became ill with influenza. Ralph died shortly after from pneumonia.

Love found Marilyn again in 1961 when she met George Burtt who came to stay at the boarding house while he was working for the Department of Transportation. After they were married, they and Heather moved to Fredericton, and their son, Robert, was born in 1967. For most of their marriage, they lived on the city’s north side, where they attended Gibson Memorial United Church. They were famous for pots of baked beans, scallop potatoes, and brown bread at church suppers.

Marilyn also loved to prepare meals for family and friends, which she did both at home and at their cottage on Oromocto Lake. Corn and lobster boils were a highlight of the summer, and everyone loved Marilyn’s desserts, including her strawberry shortcakes.

For many years, she worked in the deli department at Devon Park Save Easy on Union Street. After retiring, she and George spent their summers enjoying time at the cottage and taking many road trips to the Miramichi where she loved spending time with many family and friends.

They moved to Pine Grove Nursing Home in 2023. Marilyn often said how much she loved living there and how much she loved the staff who became part of her extended family. Thank you to those who loved her like she was their own. You gave her exceptional care, and her family will be forever grateful.

Marilyn will be sadly missed by her family and many friends. She leaves behind her children, Heather MacDonald and Robert Burtt (Laverne); grandchildren, Stephen Slaunwhite (Susan), Matthew Worrall, Jessica Hearn (Jason), Mary Louise Burtt (Jack), and Nicolas Burtt; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Emily, and Jude; two great-great grandkids, Elliott and Isla; siblings, Beverley Jardine (Judy) and Sondra Craig (Jimmy), as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and many others. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husbands, Ralph MacDonald and George Burtt, and her siblings, Hayes Jardine, Floyd Jardine (Ruth), Leslie Jardine (Marilyn), and Susie Anderson (Karl).

A visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home in Fredericton, NB, on Friday, February 6, 2026, beginning at 12:00 pm. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the J.A. McAdam Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Kelly Burke officiating. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Pine Grove Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice.