Obituary of Marilyn Frances Jollineau

We are indescribably sad to share the news of the death of Marilyn Jollineau: dear wife, mother, gram and nanny.  We rejoice in the life she lived and the many memories, warm thoughts, sage advice and delicious meals she offered us throughout our lives.  Marilyn was an astute observer of life, quiet, wise, and witty.

Marilyn was raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, born to Merrill and Grace McClelland.  She and her loving husband, Wayne, moved to Saint John in 1970 with their four children, Jill, Jane (Bob Bowen), Jeff (Karen), and Jody (Peter Pappas) when Wayne was hired as a professor at University of New Brunswick Saint John.  Here they enjoyed living on the Kennebecasis River with all the fun it brought in both summer and winter.  The arrival of six grandchildren, Sarah Gander (Stephen LeBlanc), Theresa Blyzchuk, Anne-Louise Petrie (Steve), Kaitlynne Fitzgerald (Jarrod), Nicholas Pappas, and Alex Pappas kept Marilyn busy with sleepovers, playing board games and planes.  In the last ten years they have welcomed with great joy their eight great grandchildren, Edward and David LeBlanc, Emma, Wade and Luke Petrie, Mila Blyzchuk, Anna and Jack Fitzgerald.   

Marilyn worked for 25 years at the Saint John Public Library.  She made many friends especially her coworkers and delighted in finding “talking books” for her elderly patrons. She was a passionate reader, loved to win at cards and board games and treasured friendships through her bridge group and the Women’s Faculty Club at UNBSJ. Sunday dinner at the Jollineau’s was always a treat; friends and family know that Marilyn’s spaghetti and meatballs, cannelloni, butter tarts, and pies were unmatched. 

Marilyn is survived by her brother Peter (Donna) McClelland, sisters in law Velma and Nancy McClelland, Nancy Jollineau and Cheryl Morin, brother in law Joel Jollineau and many treasured nieces and nephews. 

Marilyn is predeceased by her dear son, Jeffrey and grandson, Nicholas, her parents, her mother in law, Louise, sister Rhoda McColl and brothers Robert, Michael and Jimmy McClelland, brothers in law, Larry Jollineau, Bob Morin, Bill Groh and Rodney McColl and sisters in law Gerry Morin, Arline Groh and Paulette Jollineau, nieces Sherri (McColl) Humphries, Krista Groh and Margaret Jollineau, nephews Danny and Teddy McColl.

We are grateful for Dr. Paul Van Houtte, Patti Nicholson’s direction and the care, compassion and comfort provided by Dr. Keith Wilson, Jo-Anne Blacquier and the excellent team at the GEM unit.

Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, with visitation on Day, Friday, February 17, 2023, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Redeemer Church, on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 9:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bobby’s Hospice, NB Social Pediatrics Inc. or a charity of your choice.  Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.