Ida Caroline Carter

The passing of Ida Caroline (Paul) Carter, wife of Ronald H. Carter of Pennfield, NB, occurred at the Fundy Nursing Home, Blacks Harbour, NB, on December 12, 2021. Born in Blacks Harbour, NB, on March 20, 1951, she was a daughter of the late Clifford and Madge (Hawkins) Paul. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister,  in addition to her husband, Ronald, Ida is survived by her children: Cari Carter (Erik Hodgson) of Milton ON, Beth (Brock) Bradford and Brian (Katie) Carter both of Pennfield, NB; grandchildren: Jaiden Carter-Hadland, Rhys Shackleton, Carter Kindelon, Eric Bradford, Karoline Carter-Hodgson and Rylan Carter; sisters: Beth Creamer of Medford, MA, Ella Lounder of McAdam, NB, and Donna (Scott) Henderson of Seeley's Cove, NB; brother: George (Gertrude) Paul of St. George, NB; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, Ida was predeceased by one sister: Mary Russell.

Ida was born in Blacks Harbour, lived in Beaver Harbour as a small child, and grew up in Pennfield. As a young girl, she loved to spend time with her Nana and Grampie Hawkins; her sister Ella fondly recalls that Grampie Hawkins called Ida "Chatterbox" as she loved to sing and perform for them. As a teenager, she met Ron at a dance at high school (ECRS) in St. George, and they married soon after graduation. They moved to Seeley’s Cove in 1970, where they raised their three children. In later years, Ida and Ron settled into their current home on Pennfield Ridge—Ida’s favourite house of anywhere she had lived before—where her children and grandchildren would love to gather. Her children remember her as a kind, patient, and selfless mother who encouraged them to do whatever made them happy. She cherished her family and would do anything for them.

Ida’s greatest love was her grandchildren. When Ida’s first grandchild, Jaiden, was born, she immediately became top priority; Ida devoted her life to her role as Gramma.  Jaiden and Gramma were two peas in a pod, and they spent most of their days together; at age four, Jaiden would sit and read the newspaper with Gramma, or they would play toys together for hours. Ida always wanted to spend time with her grandchildren and care for them, nothing was ever a burden. Whether it was overnight visits with Jaiden, washing dishes with Eric, ferry trips to Nova Scotia with Rhys, flights across the country to visit Karoline and Carter, or playdates with her youngest grandchild, Rylan, who called her Ma—Gramma was there for her grandchildren whenever and wherever she could be.

Ida was a happy, quick-witted, outgoing, and kind-hearted person who had the best sense of humor. She would laugh so hard when her kids teased her and joked around, always quick with the comebacks. When Beth would jokingly ask Ida who her favourite child was, Ida would say "Brian" and then laugh, teasing Beth, and always follow up with "I don’t have a favourite, you know that" but she always did have a soft spot for her baby boy. She was opinionated and loved to debate--she somehow always convinced you that she was right! She loved to sing along to 60s music on the radio (she even sang karaoke once in Florida, her sister Beth recalls) and dance around the kitchen to The Beatles or Frankie Valli hits. She liked to tell (and hear) funny stories about her kids and grandkids, laughing at whatever shenanigans the kids were up to. She enjoyed reading (usually with several novels on the go at once), watching Coronation Street (her grandkids all recognize the theme song from the show), and taking care of her flowers and plants in her yard. New River Beach was a favourite gathering spot for Ida and her children; she enjoyed spending many summer days there with her special sister Beth and extended family. She was a proud fisherman’s wife (and proud mother of a fisherman) who made the best lobster rolls, bar none.

Ida raised her children to love and trust in God. She looked forward to attending services at the Presbyterian Kirk in Pennfield, especially the candlelight Christmas Eve service. She was the person her family turned to for advice and loving support--the center of her family. She was so loved and will be missed beyond measure.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fundy Nursing Home for their warmth, empathy, compassion, and outstanding care; they treated Ida’s husband and daughters like family and for that they are tremendously grateful. Additional thanks to Deenie Wilson for her considerate care, and Passamaquoddy Lodge. Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home (755-3533) 26 Portage Street, St. George NB. In keeping with Ida's wishes there will be no visiting or funeral service. In her memory, donations to the St. George & Area Food Bank would be greatly appreciated by the family.