MARIE JOHANNA (FLEET) RUSSELL

(FLEET) RUSSELL; MARIE JOHANNA, 90 years old, of Grand Manan Island, passed away on Tuesday evening, August 12th, 2008, at the Grand Manan Nursing Home, where she has resided for the past three and a half years. Daughter of the late John and Allegonda ( Ton ) Mourik, Marie was born in Holland and immigrated to Canada with her family when she was seven years old. They arrived on Cheney’s Island in 1925, and Marie quickly learned English and would often make the crossing to White Head Island to sell milk and butter for her family. In 1936 Marie married Carl Fleet and moved to the village of Castalia, Grand Manan. Everyone who knew Marie and Carl has fond memories of good times with them at “ the farm”. They raised five children and spent many a summer picking dulse at Dark Harbour. Carl passed away in 1971, and in 1979 Marie married Ray Russell and moved to Seal Cove, where they spent the next twenty-six years together. Marie will always be remembered for her optimistic spirit, her great sense of humour , her big hugs and her homemade date- filled cookies. She will be sadly missed by two daughters .Albertine ( Gerald ) Griffin of Castalia and Alice Patterson of Riverview; two sons Ronald ( Brenda ) Fleet of Riverview and Bev ( Amy ) Fleet of Grand Manan; two sisters, Johanna ( Lawrence ) Morse of White Head and Artje Ingalls of North Head; one brother Bill ( Thelma ) Mourik of White Head; four step daughters, Mary ( Stanley ) Green of Seal Cove, Joan ( Robert ) Brown of North Head, Sandra MacDonald of Hopewell Hill, and Frances ( Gerald ) Bainbridge of Saint John; fifty grandchildren and great grandchildren ; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of the Grand Manan Nursing Home, who loved her dearly and provided her with excellent care. Marie was predeceased by her husbands ; one son John Fleet; and two brothers, John Mourik Jr. and Harry Mourik.

Visitation will take place at Ells Funeral Home on Thursday, August 14th, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral service will be held from the North Head Baptist Church at 1:30 PM on Friday , August 15th, 2008 with Rev. Ron Ford officiating, with interment to follow in the family plot Maple Grove Cemetery, Castalia, N.B. For those who wish , donations in memory of Marie may be made to the local charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of ELLS FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Route #776, Grand Manan, N.B. E5G 1G2.