Bessie Muriel Holland

At the Orchid View Nursing Home, Gagetown NB on January 27, 2016, in her 104th year, Bessie Muriel (Harmon) Holland, wife of the late Gerald A. Holland formerly of South Bay NB. Born in Digdeguash NB on July 9, 1912, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Lila (Thomas) Harmon. A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and sister, Bessie will be lovingly remembered by her sons: Don (Wilma) Holland of Saint John, Claude (Gloria) Holland of Beaver Harbour, Jack Holland (Roseanna Waite) of Chamcook and Philip (Donna) Holland of Westfield; daughters: Sheila (Cecil) Kilburn of Fredericton, Barbara Ralph of Moncton, Joyce (Buddy) Titus of Westfield and Susie (Joe) McGrath of St. Stephen; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; one brother: Leo (Janet) Harmon of St. Andrews and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband, Gerald, she was predeceased by brothers: Fred, Edward, Henry and Pearson and by sisters: Freda Young, Nellie Borthwick, Helen Gowan, Mildred Landry, Marion McAleenan and Hazel Rossi.

During her life, Bessie kept busy as a homemaker and mother. She was young at heart and kept active in her later years. At the age of 100, she was a volunteer at Ridgewood Veterans Wing in Saint John and enjoyed calling Bingo for the residents there. Bessie had a heart of gold and enjoyed helping others as she was also a volunteer with the Red Cross. For her dedication to helping and caring for others, she was recognized as a "Maritimer of the Week" in August of 2012. She was also a member UCW in South Bay NB and a member of the Saint John Senior Citizen's Club. In her quiet time, Bessie enjoyed sewing and crocheting but will always be remembered for her amazing needle work abilities. She truly loved her family and enjoyed to be surrounded by them and she could always be found dancing any chance she had. Her heart of gold and warm smile will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home (755-3533) 26 Portage Street, St. George NB. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 6-9 pm. The service will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday at 2:00 pm with Rev. Canon Keith Osborne officiating followed by the interment at the Christ Church (Anglican) Cemetery in Pennfield. In lieu of flowers, donations to the NB Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice would be greatly appreciated by the family.