Obituary of Madeline Rachel Ness

Madeline Rachel Ness was born at the Keirstead homestead in Collina, a daughter of the late Burton and Violet (Grant) Keirstead on July 11, 1939. 

She attended Collina School and graduated from Belleisle Regional High School in 1957 and Sussex High School in 1958. During her teenage years she was baptized in the waters of Millstream River and joined Collina Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years where she met her future husband, Jack Ness. They were married there in August 1959.

Following graduation, she worked at Commercial Equipment in Saint John. After her marriage she moved to Sussex where over the years worked at Sussex Post Office, Dominion Stores and retired from Kiwanis Nursing Home in 2002 after 23 years of service.

Madeline enjoyed the simple things in life with Jack, having picnics, Nancy’s tour trips, spending time at the Ness Tree Lot and enjoyed many hours spent at the camp. She enjoyed vegetable gardening and she and Jack always had a large one each year. They enjoyed eating out, taking Sunday drives in the country. They photographed and visited every covered bridge in New Brunswick.  They spent 57 wonderful years together until Jack’s death in April 2017.  

 Madeline enjoyed hosting her granddaughters for weekends at Grammie and Grampie’s that included trips to the zoo and lots of picnics. A special trip she cherished was the family trip to DisneyWorld when Jenna and Natalie were young, recalling how much fun they had riding the Teacups ride there.

Madeline attended St. Paul’s United Church and was a life member of the Agape UCW Unit there. She loved her church community and attending church was a highlight in her week.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Joanne Gaudet and son-in-law Ron Gaudet of Moncton, NB,  her two granddaughters Jenna Thorne (Ben) of Cheshunt, England and Natalie Gaudet (Chad) of Stratford, Ontario; her brother Nelson Keirstead (Joan) of Lower Millstream and nieces, Kathy Keirstead (Randy), Sally  Miller (Tom), Tina Vessey (Michael), nephews Clayton Keirstead (Ellen ), Lloyd Keirstead (Gena), and Randy Keirstead (Judy), and extended family members.

Madeline passed away peacefully at the Sussex Health Centre on February 12 with her family by her side.

Along with her parents: Burton and Violet Keirstead and the love of her life, John “Jack” Ness; she was predeceased by twin brother and sister, Margaret, and James.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176) from where visitation will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 1-4pm. A celebration of Madeline’s life will be held from St. Paul’s United Church on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 2:00pm.

Donations in memory of Madeline may be made to the Roachville Cemetery, St. Paul’s United Church, Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com