Obituary of Alfreta Main Schwartzberg

July 30th 1941 – December 28th 2023

With heavy hearts, the family of Alfreta Elizabeth Main Schwartzberg, loving wife of Stuart Schwartzberg, and caring mother of Bruce, Jordan & Heidi, announce her passing on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Saint John Regional Hospital.

Alfreta was born in Saint John, New Brunswick on July 30, 1941, to the late Ralph and Gertrude (Belding) Huestis.

Alfreta grew up on Princess St in Saint John & was a proud graduate of both Saint John High and Saint John Hospital Nursing Program.

While growing up,  Alfreta, her parents, and brother spent many summers and vacations at the "Harbour Home" in Chance Harbour, New Brunswick. This would be the place that Alfreta would return to each summer throughout the duration of her life. Chance was her happy place and where her roots resided.

After graduating from Nursing school she worked as a nurse at Saint John General Hospital, and while there she met her future husband Dr. Stuart Schwartzberg.

Immediately following their marriage they spent 2 years in Japan on the island of Okinawa where Stuart served as a doctor in the US Airforce during Vietnam. Following their return to the US, they resided in New York, Connecticut, and Texas, so Stuart could complete his medical residency. 

In 1975 they settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana where they lived for 10 years. While there Alfreta was active in B'nai Brith, Civic Theatre & participated in many local philanthropic events.

During the Fall of 1985, Stuart & Alfreta moved to the Washington DC metropolitan area where they resided for a period of 10 years before relocating to Henderson, North Carolina.  Alfreta was active in the Henderson Garden Club.

Alfreta’s contagious positive spirit and her smile would light up a room. She thrived in the presence of people and loved pitching to help at the drop of a hat, which gave her tremendous pleasure and joy.  She had a special connection with her close friends, children, and grandchildren. She was an inspiration to all and impacted the lives of all who came in contact with her.

Alfreta will be missed by many friends, cousins, nieces & nephews from near and far.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother W. Stuart ( Margaret) Huestis.

She is survived by her husband, Stuart; children Bruce ( Soraya) McLean, Virginia; Jordan (Revital) Thurgau, Switzerland; Heidi Frisco, Texas, and each of her grandchildren, who had a special place in her heart; Jack, Robert (Bruce), Andrew, Brandon (Jordan), Tate, Sophie, Sutton, and Sienna (Heidi).

Bruce and Jordan would like to express their sincere gratitude to their sister, Heidi, who took time off from her career & was away from her family to care for Alfreta for 6 months between the Harbour Home & the hospital.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Jill Janes who was an exceptional caregiver for Mum & Dad

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424). Visitation will be held on January 2, 2024, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM with a funeral service to follow. Interment will take place in Chance Harbour Cemetery (Loop Road, Chance Harbour) following the funeral service. 

Donations in memory of Alfreta may be made out to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.brenansfh.com.