Obituary of Winnie Parlee

Winnona Mary Anna Parlee was born in Hillsdale NB on May 14, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Austin and Mary (Allaby) Johnston. 

 Winnie, as she was fondly known, enjoyed a 35 year career in public education. Her career began in Salisbury where she taught for two years at the Elementary School then a two year period teaching at Norton Elementary and spent the remaining 31 years at the Apohaqui Elementary School as a teacher and Principal retiring in 1994. She was dearly loved by parents, teachers and students and she loved them in return. Winnie was a kind, fun loving and strong willed person who always enjoyed a good joke. She possessed a keen sense of humor and a quick wit. She had a kind heart, was fair and always put others first. Family was everything to her and she had a wonderful married life of 57 years with Malcolm. Her daughter and son in law were very special to her as well, but the apple of her eye however, were her two granddaughters in whom she was very proud of everything they did. Winnie and Malcolm loved to travel, having enjoyed 23 winter getaways to Florida. They also had visited numerous warm and tropical destinations including Hawaii, Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica and Texas. Winnie was a great host, always enjoying those who would drop by for a visit. She was quick to put on a pot of tea and enjoyed to prepare food for visitors. Her talent was that she could whip up a meal, making something  out of nothing in short order. Politics was a great passion for her, she was an ardent supporter and member of both the Federal and Provincial Liberal Party. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, and former member of the A.C.W. and was a strong supporter of the renovations of the Hillsdale Baptist Church (The Smiling Church).

She will live on in the hearts of her beloved husband, Malcolm; her daughter, Lenora Murray and her husband David of Sussex; two granddaughters: Hannah and Sarah Murray; four sisters: Evelyna MacKay and her husband Stewart of East Earltown NS, Dionne Yeomans and her husband James of Salt Springs, Betty Bettle and her husband Paul of Sussex and Juanita Keys of McGregor Brook; three brothers: Travis Johnston and his wife Phyllis of Upperton, Humphrey Johnston and his wife Janie of Hillsdale and Leverne Johnston and his wife Gail of Lower Millstream; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Winnona Mary Anna Parlee of Sussex, passed away at the Saint John Regional Hospital on May 6, 2017 at the age of 76.

She is predeceased by four brothers: Anglin, Karrl and his wife Helen and Cyrus and his wife Marlene, her infant brother, Gorman; her brother-in-law, Fred Dempster and by her nephews: Gene Johnston and Scott Dempster.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 from 6-8pm and Tuesday, May 9, 2017 from 1-3 and 6-8pm. 

A service celebrating Winnie’s life will be held from Wallace Community Chapel on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 11:00 am.  Following the service there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments. The interment will be in Trinity Cemetery.

If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended the Sussex Health Center Dialysis Unit, Hillsdale Baptist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.

To Read the Memories of Winnie shared at her service Click Here

To Join in on Winnie's Celebration of Life, please copy this link into your address bar: https://livestream.com/accounts/12493326/events/7378241