Obituary of Phyllis Pauline McWhirter

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Phyllis Pauline McWhirter (daughter of the late James and Lila Field), who left us peacefully on May 16, 2021, just a few weeks shy of her 101^st birthday.

Born and raised on a farm in the small village of Apple River, Nova Scotia, Phyllis lived a long and full life, moving to Saint John and raising two children she cherished (Ronald and Donna) with her loving husband Robert McWhirter, also of Apple River.

Phyllis was a proud teacher, graduating from Truro Teachers College, and she always spoke fondly of her time working with students of all ages, including in one-room school houses in rural Nova Scotia and at Glen Falls Elementary School in Saint John. Teaching was integral to Phyllis’s personality and passions, as was her deep faith in Christianity.

In their spare time, Phyllis and Robert travelled the world with friends and family, spent many of their winters in Florida, and enjoyed their summers looking out at the beautiful Saint John River in Long Reach, Kingston Peninsula.

Phyllis was happiest surrounded by family and friends and could always be counted on to have a house full of guests and a kitchen stocked with freshly baked goods. Her cookies, squares, and pies were legendary.

Phyllis – a centenarian and true matriarch of her family – is predeceased by her loving husband Robert McWhirter, seven older sisters and brothers: Jessie (Clayton Brown), Laura (Cyril Cleveland), Ella (Arthur Kelly), Winnifred (Archie Gillis), Arnold Field (Lena), Cleveland Field (Bernice), Gordon Field (Carrie); brother-in-law Burton McWhirter (Helen) and her son-in-law Daniel Hennessey. Phyllis is survived by her two children Ronald McWhirter (Cathy) and Donna Hennessey (Daniel Clements), four grandchildren: William (Carissa), Jamie, Riley, and Aaron (Gena); four great-grandchildren: Mariah and Taylor, Stella and Chloe, and many nieces and nephews whom she all loved dearly.

We will all remember Phyllis in our hearts forever and are better for having her in our lives.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424) with visitation on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 2:00 – 7:00 PM. Guests are asked to enter the building through the courtyard doors where staff will greet and assist you with Covid-19 protocol. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 11:00 AM from St. David’s United Church. For those not in attendance, the funeral will be livestreamed on Phyllis’ obituary on Brenan’s website, www.BrenansFH.com. A private family interment will take place following the service in Fernhill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. David’s United Church or Bobby’s Hospice.