Hilary Blythe

Hilary Blythe of St. Stephen NB passed away peacefully of lung cancer at Bobby's Hospice, Saint John NB on October 10, 2018 with her children at her side. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 24, 1935, she was the daughter of Oliver Melrose Bell & Ileene Philippa Cuff (Knox) Bell.

A proud and dedicated mother & grandmother, Hilary is survived by her son: William Philip McCarthy & his wife Jennifer May Alice Loten of Ottawa ON; her daughter: Belinda May Melrose "Lindy" (McCarthy) & her husband Allan Ryan Mertick also of Ottawa ON; grandchildren: Rowan, Adrian, Devon & Gavin McCarthy, Simon Mertick his partner Amanda Aboukheir & Benjamin Mertick; & several nephews.

Raised in South Africa, Hilary worked as a registered X-Ray Technician/Radiographer in South Africa & England before marrying James Byron McCarthy on February 9, 1963, and immigrating to Canada. Hilary became a Canadian Citizen on August 30, 1968.

Committed to life long learning, she volunteered for years at her children’s schools, and took courses reflecting a wide range of interests including electrical wiring, woodworking, accounting, and becoming a legal secretary. She also earned an Honours Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language in 1992 and volunteered as a Language Instructor with the Newcomers to Canada Program in Ottawa, ON, assisting many Canadian Immigrants with their language skills and by sharing her personal experiences as an immigrant. She continued tutoring in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

Until her retirement, Hilary was an Administrative Assistant at the Department of Agriculture in Ottawa, Ontario. In 1998 she moved to St. Stephen, New Brunswick, where she continued to enjoy gardening, reading, painting and bird watching. Hilary liked striking up conversations wherever she went and had an engaging & charismatic personality. She will be missed by her family & friends.

In keeping with Hilary's wishes there will be no visitation or funeral service. A small Celebration of Life will be held in Ottawa, ON in the summer of 2019. Email: [email protected] should you wish future details.

Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home (755-3533) 26 Portage Street, St. George NB. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Bobby's Hospice in Saint John, NB or to the St. Croix Vocational Center in St. Stephen, NB would be greatly appreciated by the family.