Kathleen Grace Estabrooks

Kathleen Grace (MacRae) Estabrooks

                    1929-2021

With much sadness and also with thanksgiving for a life well-lived, the family of Kathleen Grace (MacRae) Estabrooks, announce her death on October 6, 2021, at the age of 92 following a period of declining health.  Kaye, as she was known to most, was born July 17, 1929, in Black River Bridge, NB, the 3rd of seven daughters of the late John Duncan (J.D.) and Isabel (Fowlie) MacRae.

Pre-deceased by her husband Glenn (Feb 2021) she is survived by her 3 children, Bruce (Stephanie) and their 2 children, Alexander and Andrew of Riverview, NB, Rev. Susan of Florenceville-Bristol, NB, and Greig (Manon), and their 2 children Christopher and Victoria of St. Lazare, Quebec.  She is also survived by 3 sisters, Nan (Cameron MacDonald), Betty (Late Robert Searle) Edna (Reginald Drew) a brother-in-law, Dale Estabrooks as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  She was pre-deceased by her parents, 3 sisters, Edith (Edie) MacQuarrie, Shirley Donnelly, and Roberta (Bertie) Walsh as well as a daughter-in-law Carolyn. 

Following Graduation from Miramichi Rural High School, Kaye taught school under a local license.  After graduation from New Brunswick Teacher’s College in Fredericton, she taught in Bayside (near Hardwicke) and Hillsborough for several years until she chose to pursue nursing.  In 1953 she graduated from the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing. Shortly after, she pursued post-graduate courses in psychiatric nursing at the Nova Scotia Hospital.   She then accepted a position as a nursing instructor at the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing where she worked until starting her family in the early 1960s.  In 1955, she was commissioned as an officer of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. After her children were all in school, she returned to the Moncton Hospital where she worked on a number of different units in addition to being a nursing supervisor until her retirement in 1993.  She was an active member of Mountain View United Church, a life member of UCW (Unit Catherine), a former elder, a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the Group Committee for the Scouting movement, and a member of several lay committees to mentor candidates for ministry.  No matter the task, Kaye carried her responsibilities with the utmost patience, integrity, and compassion.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of the Salvation Army Lakeview Manor where Kaye resided over the last four years.  The care she received there was second to none, and mom certainly appreciated all the extra effort made to ensure her comfort during her stay.

Visitation will be at Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Rd, Moncton (858-1995) on Saturday, October 9, 2021, from 10:00 am to 11:15 am, followed by a Service to celebrate and honour Kaye’s life, taking place at 11:30 am from Fergusons Funeral Home Chapel.  Please note the funeral service will be live-streamed and is accessible by clicking on "Watch Funeral Live Stream" found at the top of her obituary at www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com

Interment will follow and take place at the Black River Community Cemetery, Black River Bridge, NB. 

For those wishing to attend the visitation and service, proof of complete vaccination and government I.D. must be shown and masks must be worn.  Entrance through the front doors is preferred in order to comply with the validation of vaccination.

In memory of Kaye, donations to the Salvation Army Lakeview Manor (salvationarmy.ca/lakeviewmanor), Mountain View United Church (mtview.ca), or The Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation (friendsfoundation.ca) would be appreciated. Online condolences for the Family may be shared on the Fergusons Funeral Home Facebook page or at www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com

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