Obituary of Jane Edwards

“She is what she is, what better report, a girl, a student, a friend a good sport.” Yearbook, Halifax Ladies College, 1960. These words describe M. Jane Gill (Thompson) Edwards who passed away on December 26, 2022.

Jane was born in 1944 in Montreal to Marion MacInnes Gill. She spent her formative years in Halifax on a property known as “Stoneleigh”. She graduated from Halifax Ladies College (now Armbrae Academy) in 1960. During her school years, Jane demonstrated leadership skills in the classroom and on the sports field. In her graduation year she was Head Girl, Head Prefect and Captain of both the Ground Hockey and Basketball Teams. Upon graduation from Dalhousie University in 1964 (B.A.) and 1965 (B. Ed.), Jane taught school in Halifax, Montreal, Calgary and Fredericton. Volunteering was a major part of Jane’s life.  In addition to many years managing the Gift Box at the DECH Hospital in Fredericton, Jane volunteered with the Halifax School for the Blind, the Halifax Jr. League, the Fredericton Pony Club and many underprivileged communities. She also loved arts and culture and building meaningful relationships with seniors in Fredericton nursing homes.

Jane always felt she had a “good run at life”. She immensely enjoyed cruising with her dear husband and best friend, Merrill, to distant shores and meandering thoughtfully along beaches. Above all, Jane loved and was devoted to her family. She cherished family gatherings and strived to make moments together meaningful and memorable. Affectionately known as “Nannie G’Mmer” to her grandchildren, she marvelled in their accomplishments and treasured their pictures. Jane was a faithful, and sincere friend to many. She was most often described as charming, classy, generous, thoughtful, independent, vibrant, gracious, organized and kind.

Jane is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Merrill Edwards; her daughters, Stephanie Sykes (David) of Toronto and Kathryn Holleran (Michael) of Terra Cotta, ON; her “Fabulous Four” grandchildren, Nicholas and Peter Sykes, William and Anna Holleran; her stepsons, Eric Edwards of Montreal and Alan Edwards (Lauren) of Fredericton; her sister, Virginia O’Connell, and her nephews, Jeffrey and Timothy O’Connell, all of Vancouver, as well as many close cousins (Barbie Wade of Halifax, Cathy Leslie of Barry, ON and Christie MacInnes of Toronto) who were more like siblings to her.  Jane was predeceased by her mother, Marion MacInnes Gill; her beloved aunts, Anne and Marie MacInnes, her uncle, John MacInnes, her cousin, William MacInnes, all of Halifax; and her grandson, Sebastian Edwards of Fredericton.

Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home in Fredericton on January 9, 2023 from 4 PM – 7 PM.  A Funeral Service will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 10:30 AM, with The Very Rev. Geoffrey Hall officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available to watch at the Christ Church Cathedral Youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@christchurchcathedralfton. Donations in Jane’s memory may be directed to the Canadian Diabetic Society, the Trans-Canada Trail, or a charity of the donor’s choice.