Eleanor Bernice McCray

The passing of Eleanor Bernice (Parker) (Bradford) McCray occurred at the Charlotte County Hospital, St. Stephen NB on May 6, 2023. Born in Eastport ME on May 29, 1941, she was a daughter of the late Horace and Mazie (Moses) Parker. A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Eleanor is survived by her daughter: Angela (Joseph) Johnson of Utopia NB; grandchildren: Nicole (Mike) Thompson of Green’s Point NB, Acacia (Jody) Mitchell of Riverview NB and Mitchell (Fallon) Johnson of Utopia NB; great-grandchildren: Keenan, Konner and Kohen Thompson, Karsyn Johnson and Hogan Mitchell; chosen great-grandchildren: Cohen and Brody Mitchell; one sister: Lorraine Cline of St. George NB; son-in-law: Grant Hooper of Back Bay NB; many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, Eleanor was predeceased by the father of her children: Gordon Richardson; her husbands: Vincent Bradford and Edward McCray; her daughter: Faith Hooper; her son: Danny Richardson; and sisters: Rosamund Merritt, Geraldine Bailey and Hazel Brown.

Mom, Mamma, Gram, Grammie, Ga, Sister, Auntie, Elz, El or Eleanor – each hat she wore was as special as the next. In 1981 she gave her life to Jesus and never looked back; loving on her family and friends as Jesus would but never pushing her faith on anyone. If you knew her, you knew her house was clean, she had a dozen rings on, and there was fudge in the fridge.

The youngest of the five "Parker Girls" - they were famous for their love of rings, never being caught without every finger covered.  She loved each of her sisters fiercely and loved to tell stories about each of them.

At 15 she left the Island and worked as a waitress in St Stephen before later working at Art Barteau’s Store and H.W. Welch. At the young age of 70 she learned to use Facebook and nothing brought her more joy than watching TV clips, Judge Judy, cooking shows, and of course, watching her youngest great grandbabies, Karsyn and Hogan, grow up.

She was never happier than the day she moved into her new apartment with Angela and Joey (the Doc). Having nightly chip dates and doing puzzles together. Karsyn and Hogan were always excited to climb down the stairs and knock on her door to see her sitting at her computer smiling and waving at them when they came in to play with her "kitties".

We will always joke about the questions she would ask - "well why, or how come".

Although we are left broken hearted by our loss, we celebrate the life you lived and are proud to be the legacy you left behind. Today you are finally with Danny and Faith, and we take joy in knowing how happy that would make you. 

I don’t know yet what life looks like without you in it, but we will be okay.  There is fudge in your fridge that we’ll finish eating, we watered your plants and opened your blinds.

Gram, my best friend, my hero, I love you more. - Acacia Bernice

Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home (506-755-3533) 26 Portage Street, St. George NB. In keeping with Eleanor’s wishes, there will be no visiting or public service. In her memory, donations to a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family. Online donations and condolences may be placed at www.stgeorgefh.ca