Obituary of Laurel Graves

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Laurel Ardelle Graves announce her passing at the Rocmaura Nursing Home on September 22, 2023 at the age of 84.

Laurel was born in West Saint John on February 17th, 1939 to George E. and Dorothy L. (Wills) Cameron, the only girl in a family of three older brothers, Lloyd, George and Clair.

Laurel attended Beaconfield School from grades 1 to 8 then Saint John Vocational School, a proud member of the class of "57". Laurel worked at NB Telephone- her first job- and also as switchboard operator at Lawson Motors, later on she worked for Maritime Beverages, at all the jobs Laurel met and remained friends with a lot of her co-workers.

Laurel spent many a happy day singing in her church choir and with the "Master Singers of the YMCA"

After Laurel's first marriage in 1960, she moved to "town" as "west siders" called over the reversing falls bridge, but always considered herself a "west sider" and even had the plaque and story of "an official west sider" which was proudly displayed in her home. Laurel had three children from her first marriage, Michael, Shelly and James, who gave her four grandchildren, Sean , David, Anthony and Shelby, the only granddaughter who lives on in her "gramma" In the early eighties after she and her first husband divorced, Laurel moved to Sussex where she worked at Geldart Homes as Office Secretary, Then later on took a part time job at Kaye's Korner Store in Penobsquis, where she met David who swept her off her feet and they  were married in a beautiful Valentine's Day Wedding in 1992. They enjoyed a wonderful life together travelling throughout Canada, USA, Great Britain and the Caribbean they were "Best of friends" as well as "Husband and Wife".

She was a hard-working woman, having spent her work years with Maritime Beverages, Lawson Motors, Kays Corner Store, Geldart Home and GE Barbours and NBTel from where she retired as a switch board operator after 10 years.

Laurel was a proud member of her community and so proud to be involved in so many clubs and organizations including: St. John’s United Church Choir, the UCW, Red Hatters Society, Cooking SC Bowling, 50+ Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #87 and the Greenwich Girl Guides.

Laurel and David shared their grandchildren, "Nanny" enjoyed cooking for her family and grandchildren and Nanny's molasses cookies, tea biscuits and Home-made Jam were some favorites of the grandchildren. Laurel enjoyed doing skits with the Seniors Clubs, singing in her church Choir at St. John's United, Playing Bingo on her girl’s night out and outings with the "red hat" Society of Sussex and just having fun. Laurel enjoyed many visits and phone calls with her lifelong friend, Marie (Coy) Swan, they had known each other since Laurel was in grade 3 and Marie was in grade 4.

She will live on in the hearts of her children: two sons: Michael Cave and his wife Jean of French Village, Rothesay, NB and James Cave of Moncton; her daughter, Shelley Facey and her husband Keith of Quispamsis; her step son, Rod Graves and his wife Sarah of Penobsquis; her sisters-in-law:  Jean Cameron of Saint John and Sandra Cameron of Saint John; her sister-in-law, Beatrice Sproul and her husband Eric of Perth, ON; her grandchildren: David Cave (Jocelyn), Anthony Cave (Sara), Shelby Sharma-Cave (Vrijesh), Sean Facey, Ryan Graves, Rudy Graves (Farrah Kaye), Roland Graves (Destiny), Brianna Dunfield (Sawyer Stanley) and Shelby Dunfield (Luc Debertin); her great grandchildren: Abigail, Zoey, Hudson, Grace,  Jonathan and Lila; her adopted daughter, Cheryl Donahue (Roy); as well as several nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents, she is predeceased by her loving husband, David; her brothers: Lloyd Cameron, George Cameron and Clair Cameron; her step sons: Jeffrey and Dennis and infant step son; her brothers-in-law: John Graves and Clark “Tom” Graves (Pat).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176). A Celebration of Laurel’s life will be held from Wallace Community Chapel on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 2:00pm.

Donations in memory Laurel made to the Rocmaura Nursing Home would be appreciated by the family. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com.