Obituary of Marie Althea Wilton

Marie’s final days at the Fredericton Hospice House were filled with family and friends, and as she left for her heavenly home the evening of February 10, 2026. Marie Althea Wilton (Dykeman) was born in Fredericton to the late Raymond and Grace (Agnew) Dykeman on August 20, 1940, and she grew up in Lower Saint Mary’s, New Brunswick. She married Ross Wilton on August 17, 1963, and they built their lives together in Fredericton until his passing on November 7, 2023.

Marie was an avid reader and loved to learn. She attended a one room schoolhouse from grades 1-8. In grade 8, she was responsible for some of the younger students’ learning. Marie graduated from the commercial program at Fredericton High School, then at age 15 worked full time at Base Gagetown and attained her goal of earning enough money to attend the United Baptist Bible Training School (UBBTS) in Moncton. She made many lifelong friends while at the Bible School and upon successful completion of her studies there, she worked as secretary to the President of UBBTS. During the summer of 1964, Ross and Marie moved to Fredericton. Marie spent this time in her life devoting her days to investing in her family; first with their three children, then with every new addition spanning four generations (now numbering over ten times more than the original three). Sunday lunch tradition started at Nana and Grampie Ray Dykeman’s house, the Stone House, a tradition Marie continued and enjoyed until her death. Spending time together each week was one of Nana Rie’s greatest joys.

In order to keep “Marie’s Mercantile” well-stocked, Marie worked several jobs over the years. In addition to working at Base Gagetown and UBBTS, she worked her way up to the position of manager at The Messenger Christian Bookstore (a position she held for many years) then was a Librarian Assistant at the University of New Brunswick Engineering Library until she retired.

Marie’s loving, cheerful and welcoming demeanor was appreciated by all who knew her. She was always willing to cook a meal for others and opened her home to many who needed a place to stay for as long as they needed, some for a night and others for a year or even longer. She was the ultimate hostess.

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the Upper Maugerville United Baptist Church is where Marie attended church growing up. She accepted Christ as her Saviour at age 14 and committed her life to serving her Lord while attending a Bible school quartet concert. Marie served as a youth representative for the York Association of Baptist Churches and was honoured to be the youth representative on the first board of directors of Green Hill Lake Camp. She faithfully served at Brunswick Street Baptist Church as Pioneer Girls coordinator, Get-Together Club president, church clerk, on various committees (Board of Management, Christian Education, Missions, Nominating, to name a few), in the International Student Ministry, as a Sunday School teacher, co-author of the church history book, and WMS Dominion Life Member. She cherished the many friendships formed through serving together and in their couples Bible study group. Together, Ross and Marie served for decades as Gideons and were always happy to present Gideon (ShareWord) Bibles to students at schools.  

She is survived by her children and their families: Beth Fox (Randy), Meghan Fox, Keltie Magnus (Steven)-Everly, Alina, Sophie, Hillary Fox; Leah Steeves (David), Rebecca McKinley (Will)- Lyla, William, Grace, Anna Steeves, Bethany Steeves; Dan Wilton (Eleanor), Jon Wilton (Alyse)- Nora, Jessica Bicknell (Sam)-Milo, Ezra, Jana Watson (Jansen)-Artem, Lark; sisters, Ruth Waugh, Muriel Kitchen, Deborah Bourque (Eric); brothers-in-law, Lyle Wilton, Walter Sherwood, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Zeta Sherwood; sister-in-law, Mary Wilton; brothers-in-law, Glen Waugh and Vernon Kitchen, and nephew, Andrew Waugh.

Thank you to all those who provided excellent care following her cancer diagnosis; Dr. Anan, her Palliative Care Team led by Dr. McDonald, and the Hospice House staff. Your care was exemplary and much appreciated.

Visitation will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 2 - 4 pm. Marie’s Celebration of Life will be held at Brunswick St. Baptist Church on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 11 am. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be available on Brunswick St. Baptist Church’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@brunswickstreetbaptist/streams. The interment will be held at the Maugerville Baptist Cemetery at a later date.

Donations in memory of Marie may be made to Brunswick St. Baptist Church, Green Hill Lake Camp, Hospice House, ShareWord (Gideons) or Crandall University.