Obituary of Maria Elizabeth Ann Webster

It is with great sadness that the family of Maria Webster announce her passing on July 17, 2022.  She left us quietly and peacefully at her home in Quispamsis following a long battle with chronic illness.  She was comforted by her parents, Anita (Nice) and Duncan Webster and her close friend, Ernie Tremblay, as she left this world.

Maria is also survived by her loving brothers, Noah and Joseph of Quispamsis; maternal grandparents, Barry and Carol Ann (Wanamaker) Nice of Quispamsis; paternal grandmothers, Anne (Flemington) Hill of Saint John and Judith (Baldwin) Webster of Rothesay; maternal aunt, Michele (Nice) McGuire of Rothesay – uncle, Peter McGuire and cousins, Mollie McGuire & Jamie Watson and Mary Kate (McGuire) Williams & Ryan Williams & May Williams;  maternal uncle, Kirk Nice of Renforth – aunt, Elizabeth (Tobias) Nice and cousins, Charlotte Nice and Kitty Nice; paternal aunt, Allyson Webster of Oakville, Ontario – uncle, Geoff Bagnall and cousins, Cailey Bagnall and Thomas Bagnall; paternal aunt, Andrea (Webster) Scott of Saint John – uncle, Tracy Scott and cousins, Tara Scott, Tessa Scott and Lily Scott; paternal aunt, Maegan (Skinner) George of Renforth – uncle, Robbie George and cousins, Carrington George, Jameson George, Addison George and Harrison George; paternal aunt, Erin Skinner of Rothesay – uncle, Greg Wilband and cousins, Brody Wilband and Linkin Wilband.  Maria was predeceased by paternal grandfather, Russell Webster of Saint John and honourary grandmother, Sandi Yorke of Edmonton.

Maria was loved by many and shared her warm spirit through her smile and laughter. Though she struggled with many hardships resulting from a rare enzyme deficiency, she battled with tremendous grace and resilience.  She demonstrated the beauty of simplicity in her life and wanted for very little.  Among all things she loved music and this was a source of great joy for her.  She also loved being on the water and experiencing touch and sound.  She was gifted with the ability to tickle herself and her laughter was infectious.

Maria was blessed to be cared for by many wonderful people during her short life, including many teachers, EA’s and allied health professionals.  She had wonderful nurses and personal care workers who went above and beyond and showered her with love and compassion, including Jean Donaldson, Janet Landers, Lisa Daye, Jackie Ainsworth and Casey Currie, among others.

There are innumerable physicians and medical specialists to whom Maria’s family is forever indebted.  From Dr. Ewa Szudek and Dr. Emile Paras who cared for her in her earliest and most fragile days, to Dr. Sarah Gander, Dr. Tony Otley and Dr. Robin Williams who cared for Maria in her later and final days, ensuring comfort and dignity for our beautiful little girl.  Tremendous praise and thanks are also warranted for the exceptional care provided by the Extra-Mural team.  Without these unsung heroes, Maria would not have had the peace she deserved in her final days.

Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects at Maria’s family home, 184 Chamberlain Road, Quispamsis, where visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 26 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  Her funeral will be held outdoors at her home on Wednesday, July 27 at 3:00 pm.  A private burial will follow.  Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home (634-7424).

For those who would like to make donations in Maria’s memory, charitable options include Foundation Glycosylation (the FoG) c/o the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, through https://thegive.ca/thefog or www.thefog.ca and CDG Canada at https://canadacdg.com.