Departed Allisonians Fall 2020
Please feel welcome to submit memories of departed Allisonians you have known and loved.
J. Elizabeth (MacInnes) Riehm — 1944
Dr. Irving H. Koven — 1949
The Honourable Brenda M. (Tubb) Robertson — 1950
W. Donald Bardwell —1952
Charlotte Ann (Inness) Richards — 1952
Janet M. (Murchie) Flett — 1953
Roger L. Mason — 1955
Audrey M. (Jardine) Pearce — 1955
Cecil H. Clarke — 1957
Rev. Dr. Garth I. Mundle — 1957
Shirley E. (Bruhm) Taylor — 1957
Amelia Jane (Avard) Eaton — 1961
Heather B. (Forrest) MacDonald — 1961
Alan R. Stewart — 1965
Margaret (Margie) Ann Sticklen — 1967
J. Colin Cameron — 1970
Lynn F. (Probert) Clipston — 1970
Lorraine (Bragg) Moore — 1970
Adam “Forbes” Rae — 1970
E. Joyce Pickard — 1971
Joyce M. (Lockett) Millard — 1976
Alethea M. (Mayes) Hubley — 1977
Graham D. Packman — 1977
Donna M. (Gogan) Smith — 1986
Norma Lynn (Johnson) Strum — 1986
Wayne Franklin Harper — former faculty
Dr. Lawrence (Larry) D. McCann — former faculty
Dr. Elmer M. Tory — former faculty
Paul R. Bragg — former staff
Isabel Leslie Crawford — friend
Robert C. Curtis — friend
THE HONOURABLE BRENDA MARY (TUBB) ROBERTSON (’50)
The Mount Allison community mourns alongside all of New Brunswick and the country with the passing of The Honourable Brenda Robertson on Sept. 23, 2020. A first-generation Canadian, Brenda was born on May 23, 1929 and grew up during the post-war era on the family farm. Her inspiring legacy was underway as she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics from Mount Allison in 1950. Her many activities included four years on women’s varsity basketball, two years as team captain, for which she was awarded a Golden “A”; vice-president of the women’s athletic committee (1948-49); manager of girls’ intramural softball (1948-49); and her two years as cheerleader brought her another Golden “A.” It is no surprise that she was a member of mock Parliament and spent much time helping students in the chemistry lab.
Brenda’s accomplishments in politics and within the Legislative Assembly are numerous and inspiring. She was the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1967, was re-elected four times, and became the first female cabinet minister in 1970. She held several cabinet portfolios every year until she became the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s first appointment to the Senate in 1984. Among her many accomplishments, Brenda undertook changing the name of the Department of Welfare to the Department of Social Services, and implemented the ExtraMural program, which inspired healthcare reform. She was the longest active-serving politician from New Brunswick when she retired from the Senate in 2004 at the age of 75, where in her last sitting the Senators rose to honour her political legacy.
Brenda will be remembered for her tireless work for the underprivileged and forgotten. Her important and meaningful work has permanently changed New Brunswick. Brenda passed just weeks after a record number of women were elected to the legislature. May her memory live on and continue to inspire others to take on challenging tasks with great responsibility and determination.
PAUL BRAGG — long-time security officer and first aid trainer at Mount Allison
Submitted by Daniel Wortman (’09)
I have many fond memories of working with Paul at Mount Allison. A relentless advocate for safety through training, education, engagement, and collaboration, Paul embodied all the values that Mount Allison holds dear. Paul had a special energy and talent when it came to teaching first aid. Thanks to Paul, hundreds of students have been trained to feel more comfortable and confident in their ability to help members of their community in crisis. Mount Allison is special because of our community and Paul was someone who actively made that community brighter, friendlier, and safer every day. Like any good Allisonian, Paul deeply cared for his off-campus community too and his contributions over many years to local emergency services were remarkable.
DONNA MAY (GOGAN) SMITH (’86)
Submitted by her daughter Teresa Gogan
Donna lived a remarkable life. She raised nine children with her first husband Richard on their beloved Pebble Brook Farm in East Amherst; the gardens, chickens, sheep, and cattle would feed their eventual family of 11. In 1983 her marriage with Richie ended and she found herself living on her own for the first time in her life. It was in this second act of her life that she became a grandmother, and at the age of 45, as a single woman enrolled at Mount Allison University. She worked two jobs to help cover the cost of tuition and books, and five years later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a very practical Secretarial Certificate. At 50 she started work at the Mount Allison bookstore for Lewis Clarke and later went on to work at the University library for nearly 10 years. In keeping with her love of books and reading, she was in heaven! Donna married again in 1996 and became involved with the local library and the Historical Society. She surrounded herself with books, letters, and barn cats!
Donna was loved purely, deeply, and sincerely by so many people that it is hard to imagine a world where she is no longer in it. She was and is the perfect mother and grandmother. She did her best in this world and for that everyone who knew her is thankful.
MARGARET ANN STICKLEN (’67)&Բ;
Submitted by Ann (Sutherland) Gruchy (‘66), Dan Johnson (’66), Janet (Stewart) Lindstrom (’66), Carol Sutherland (’67), Jan (Veinot) Ayer (’66), Diane (Marks) Fletcher (’66), and Judy (Fletcher) Cosco (’66)
Margaret (Margie) Ann Sticklen (’67) was born in Miramichi (Chatham), NB, on July 12, 1944. Her friends recently received the sad news of her passing on Dec. 18, 2019. Throughout her life, Margie was a fearless fighter. She was determined to overcome health challenges and to always live her amazing life to the fullest. Following many in her family, she arrived at Mount Allison in 1963 with the dream of becoming a teacher. She studied biology and psychology, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1967. Her many interests, inspiring personality, and sense of humour made her many lasting friends during her four years in Sackville. She returned home from Mount A and began her successful 32-year career teaching hundreds of Miramichiers. Her special relationship with her students contributed considerably to this success.
Margie’s retirement years allowed her to enjoy her lifetime interests more fully. She was a traveller, gourmet, gardener, family person, and loved to entertain her many friends. The last few years brought more health issues, but she faced them with the courage that we so admired. A wonderful, inspiring friend who will be sorely missed.
GARTH MUNDLE (’57)&Բ;
Submitted by his wife, Dorothy Naylor
Garth was born in Pugwash, NS in 1935. He often mentioned the stretch he experienced in coming to Mount Allison from a small community where he knew everyone, and where a good portion of the population were relatives. It was the first step in a life journey that would eventually take him to four academic institutions, to his chosen vocation, and to many international experiences.
Garth graduated from Mount Allison with a major in psychology and a minor in music. Both fields were significant foundations for studies that would follow. Dorothy Allen taught singing, and years later her name would still appear in conversation as Garth described the rigorous physical exercises he endured. After graduation, Garth studied at Pine Hill Divinity Hall; he always credited Dorothy’s voice training as an essential aspect of his preaching ability.
His first position in pastoral ministry was in Saint John, NB, where he met Dorothy Naylor, a diaconal minister. They were married in 1961 and throughout their life together were seen as a team in every sense of the word.
Garth earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree in Clinical Psychology and Counselling and his Doctor of Ministry degree. Garth and Dorothy’s three children came to them during his studies; David, James, and Carol. At the same time, he was in part-time ministry with congregations in Massachusetts.
Returning to Canada in 1972, Garth continued in pastoral ministry. In 1979 he became the principal of St. Stephen’s Theological College in Edmonton, AB. While at the College, and later as a volunteer, over a period of 20 years he led three-week global experiences in Palestine and Israel, Africa, and India. Participants will recall the transformative insights and encounters of those experiences. Retiring from the College in 1994, Garth continued in short-term ministry, usually Intentional Interim Ministry where Dorothy and Garth often worked as a team.
Moving to Ottawa for the next stage of retirement, Garth continued to work part-time with groups of congregations seeking to be “church together” in some way. In his later years, Garth was fascinated in the relationship between religion and science, and the application of the principles of quantum science, actively pursuing this field of study until his death in January 2019.
His life was well celebrated at gatherings in Ottawa and in Pugwash. A friend and colleague wrote: “Garth was a non-stop teacher. He spoke clearly and provocatively in his blunt Maritime style on matters of spirit, faith, and action in the world, inviting everyone to engage in considering new ways of thinking and being. He was endlessly curious and keen to learn.”
JOYCE (LOCKETT) MILLARD (’76)
Submitted by Marion McIntyre (’76)
On June 2, 2020 the lights went out all too soon on a very bright life as Joyce (Lockett) Millard (’76) passed away peacefully after a long and valiant battle with cancer.
Having been Joyce's friend since her family moved into our neighbourhood in Grade 4, I have a treasure trove of really great memories. In our youth I must admit to having been jealous of Joyce's level of achievement from time to time, but darn it she so deserved it! It was certainly her mantra that if anything was worth doing, it was worth doing well. We attended Girl Guides together, were on various school committees, and played on numerous sports teams together — softball, field hockey, and basketball. We took our friendship on to Mount Allison and were roomies in the basement of Windsor Hall our first year, and were in the majority of our classes together. Joyce had thoughts of becoming a veterinarian, so planned on only doing one year of science, but Mount A worked its charm on her and shaped her future. She completed her Bachelor of Science with honours in math and then returned for her Bachelor of Education, and all the while she participated to the nth degree — field hockey, basketball, floor monitor in residence, working the check-in desk at Jennings, working math labs, president of the Women's Athletic Association, and forging many, many strong, lifelong friendships. In her senior year, she earned her Outstanding Senior Female Athlete and the Francis S. Allison Award. It was also at Mount A that Joyce met and fell in love with Rick. They especially enjoyed returning to Mount A for basketball reunions.
As a high school math teacher, Joyce was known as being talented, conscientious, caring, and giving. Likewise, as an elder at her church, she was known for the same characteristics and living the deep faith that had been instilled in her by her parents. Joyce gave of herself in countless ways in her school life, church life, family life, and to her wide circle of friends. She sent daily e-mails to her two daughters with a devotional attached to each one, often ending with "go and make a difference in someone's life today." Joyce loved being a grandmother to five and worked hard to create special experiences and remembrances for each one of her grandchildren. This includes individual journals which she wrote daily while a patient, each one filled with stories and advice for them to read when they are older. Remarkable!
ELIZABETH (MACINNES) RIEHM (’44)&Բ;&Բ;
Submitted by Fred and Laurie MacInnes
Elizabeth (fondly called “Dip” by many who loved her) began her Mount A life in the fall of 1941, at the age of 17, when she boarded the Ocean Limited at the Truro train station — destination Sackville. She was on her way to new adventures and academic excellence. She had in her possession her trunk, her scholarships, and her red head (she said auburn) held high. A bright eyed freshie-soph ready to tackle the world.
Her years on campus were busy with labs, studies, debating, and The Argosy. She completed her degree courses in three years, graduating in the spring of 1944 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. Elizabeth was not quite finished with Mount Allison yet, as she returned to campus with her husband, William (Bill) C. Riehm in 1948, where he earned scholarships and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, magna cum laude.
She was the daughter of (d. 1985) and Rev. John Knox MacInnes (d. 1945). Her mother joined Mount Allison in 1945 as assistant registrar, and later, registrar. She retired in 1959 as the first female Mount Allison registrar. At the 1959 Convocation ceremony, she shared the stage with the then-sitting Prime Minster John Diefenbaker, both receiving honorary degrees.
Elizabeth’s two younger brothers, Dr. Fred MacInnes, of Caribou Island, NS and Olympia, WA and Donald (d. 1957), were Mount Allison Academy graduates and went on to attend Mount Allison University as well.
In the mid-'60s, Elizabeth returned to university studies part-time, earning a Bachelor of Arts (honours English) at McGill and a Bachelor of Education at Concordia. Then, in 1970, she began her 20-year teaching career in the English department of Richelieu Valley Regional High School (RVRHS) in McMasterville, QC, where, as she liked to say, she got her true reward — her students.
On retiring in 1992, she and Bill moved to Victoria, BC. The temperate climate was especially pleasing to them after the Quebec winters; Bill played golf year-round and Elizabeth reveled in her garden.
Elizabeth was active in the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) her entire life. She continued the legacy started by her mother Christine by joining CFUW when she lived in Sarnia and Parry Sound, ON, Beloeil, QC and finally Victoria, BC. Her daughter Janet continues the legacy.
Her life was full — the minister’s vivacious red-headed daughter, growing up living in four Maritime communities, attending four schools, winning many academic awards, a career as a teacher, and a mother of four.
Elizabeth’s life ended peacefully, on her terms, in her Victoria home on Aug. 11, 2020, 96 years after her birth in an upstairs bedroom of the Presbyterian manse in Nova Scotia. Her three children, David, Janet, Peter, (Andy – d. 1977) were with her for the weeks before she passed, and they had many cheerful and tearful times together. Soon after, they had a small backyard “COVID-style” garden party to honour both Elizabeth and Bill.
A. JANE (AVARD) EATON (’61)
Submitted by her son, Christopher Eaton (’94)
I’ve been looking back at pictures of my mother. When she was younger. Young enough to be my child now, strangely, though she still looks older to me, because she’s my mother. If you knew her, this might be the person you’d remember. Confident and vibrant. She was an amazing force who formed me, believed in me, and defended me and my siblings with every iota of her existence, with the totality of her love.
Recently she passed away after over a decade with Alzheimer’s. Before that she forgot how to speak, how to knit (which she loved), forgot where she was, forgot me. But we still hung out. And laughed a lot. And sometimes she was frustrated and confused and suspicious and angry, but I still did my best to pour that love back into her. So even if she didn’t know this stranger walking around with her, feeding her, she still knew she was special.
Because she was.
Love isn’t something you just pass back and forth. It grows. At the beginning of September, Jane (Avard) Eaton died. But there’s not a hole in the world. Because she left the world filled with even more love than when she entered it.