Margaret "Anne" Preston (nee Searle) passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, March 28th, 2021 in Saint John, NB. She was surrounded by the love, care and prayers of her family, both those nearby and those far away.
Born and raised along with her four brothers by loving parents Jack and Peggy Searle in Chatham, N.B. Anne went on to complete secretarial studies before marrying John in 1959. Together they headed to Labrador where they spent 35 years raising their family and immersing themselves in community activities and creating lifelong friendships. Anne was a talented and committed participant and leader in community organizations including Hospital Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi, and music festivals. Anne exemplified organization and reliability - she could make a plan, rally the troops and get any task handed to her done!
Perhaps born with a golden needle in her hand, Anne shared with us her exquisite skills across many needle crafts - embroidery, quilting, sewing, needlepoint, rug hooking, and knitting. Always a student, she continued to pursue new hobbies and inspired in others a determination to embark on any new project, big or small, with a commitment to excellence and enjoyment. Her family and friends were the benefactors of the numerous handmade gifts resulting from these year-around hours of crafting.
Anne was possibly best defined by her kindness and attentiveness to others - she was there with a hot meal, a phone call or a drop in before a friend could even ask. She enjoyed people immensely. Having resisted entry into the world of modern technology, Anne kept in touch with everyone through her many calls, cards and letters, keeping her fine penmanship flowing. Bright and energetic at 83, Anne loved her friends, trying new recipes, enjoying the wonders of shopping and trying to keep up with her grandchildren’s lives.
In the last year of her life Anne was able to view the distance from family as more cherished time with John - happy to set a new table daily and enjoying long cups of coffee on their balcony.
Anne loved her family more than anything.
Anne will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, John Preston; her six children: Kirk (Ruth); Todd (Rhonda); Jennifer (Brendan); Stephanie (Pierre); Tara (John) and Jonathon (Shauna) as well as by her adoring grandchildren (Russell, Ciaran, Caitlin, Roisin, Julie-Anne, Melanie, Carolyn, Patrick, Eryn, Matthew, Jamie, Brooke and Chase). She also leaves to mourn her two cherished brothers; Robert and Bill. Besides her parents, Anne was predeceased by two brothers, Leigh and Peter.
Funeral arrangements will be on hold until her loved ones are able to travel to New Brunswick and be together to say good-bye.
Donations in memory of Anne may be made to the NB Heart and Stroke Foundation. Bishop’s Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online Condolences and sharing of memories may be sent through to www.bishopsfuneralhome.com