Maria Lorraine Leighton

At the Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John NB, the passing of Maria Lorraine (Doucet) Leighton, wife of the late Edwin Vance Leighton of Pennfield NB occurred on October 20, 2023.

Born in Blacks Harbour NB on January 26, 1946, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Ethel (Gaudett) Doucet.

A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Maria is survived by her children: Judy (Steve) Schmidt of Edmonton AB, Malcolm Leighton of Saint John NB and Joanne Leighton (Serge Collette) of Dieppe NB; grandchildren: Jesse Mercer, Sara Mercer, Taylor (Erik) Bergenstrom, Kaylee Schmidt, Matthew Leighton and Emily Llewellyn; six great-grandchildren: Denzel, Elliott, Levi, Laila, Mason and Myles; brothers: Gerard "Gerry" of Oromocto NB, William "Billy" (Joyce) of Blacks Harbour NB, Patrick "Paddy" (Natalie) of Tevada Island BC and Fr. Paul of Blacks Harbour NB, her sisters: Susan (Bert) Pelletier of Levis QC, Catherine "Cathy" (Tony) Tibben of Edmonton AB and Loretta "Lori" (Dale) Phillips of Lincoln NB; many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, Maria was predeceased by one son: Michael Leighton; one brother: Peter Doucet; and one brother in infancy: Joseph. 

Prior to retirement, Maria worked for various employers in the local area. A jack of all trades, she worked for Connors Brothers, as a cook in local restaurants and as a book keeper for several businesses. But Maria’s true passion was working as a caregiver, both working in a care home and doing in home care for many clients over several years. Maria had a heart of gold and loved nothing more than to help others when able. In her younger years she was very active in sports, having played many different ones in high school including volleyball and badminton. A Blue Jays fan until then end, Maria would stop everything she was doing to cheer on her team any chance she had. If there was a game on when you came to visit, you often ended up cheering with her. A kind and giving soul, Maria loved cooking and baking and spending all the time she could with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home (755-3533) 26 Portage Street, St. George NB. As keeping with Maria’s wishes there will be no visiting. A memorial service will be held at the St. George Funeral Home Chapel on Monday at 2:00 pm with Father Paul Doucet officiating, followed by interment in the Pennfield Rural Cemetery, when at that time, Maria and Edwin will be laid to rest together. In Maria’s memory, donations to a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

The service for Maria will be live streamed and can be viewed by logging on to www.stgeorgefh.ca and clicking on Maria's obituary.