Obituary of Mary Ellen Gozna

Ellen Gozna
1946-2018

Ellen Gozna died on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton at the age of 72 years, with her loved ones at her side. She died peacefully, in her own way and on her own terms. Ellen found comfort in the choice provided by the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program. She was diagnosed with inoperable metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in October 2017. Ellen fully embraced her last 10 months of life by connecting with friends, building memories with family, and revisiting special places.

The centerpiece of Ellen’s life was her family: husband of 46 years, Eric, daughters Alison (Dan Brazeau) of Nelson, B.C. and Cate (Jordan Willett) of Halifax, N.S. and her three wonderful “wizarding” grandsons, Joseph and William Brazeau and Elias Willett, to whom she was “Noni”. Ellen was predeceased by her parents Jean and H.E. Duff MacDonald of New Glasgow, NS and is survived by her brothers Bruce MacDonald, Kentville, N.S. and Ross MacDonald (Shelley), Port Elgin, O.N., and sister-in-law Avril Brayton (Stephen), Halifax, N.S.

Raised in Nova Scotia, Ellen felt that she had the “great good fortune” to have lived her adult life in two of the most beautiful locations in New Brunswick: Fredericton and St Andrews-by-the-Sea. She enriched the lives of many others with her laughter, engaging personality and strong sense of community. Ellen’s incredible commitment to family has been an example to all those who knew her. Her ability to give of herself to those she loved is a gift that we all treasure.

Ellen and her family are grateful to Dr. Frank Schweiger of Moncton, Dr. Bea Sainz, Dr. M.S. Raza, and Dr. Anne Collins of Fredericton and Dr. Julia Wildish of Saint John for their empathetic care. Our family would also like to thank the many friends who gave so generously of their time, kindness and support through the past year.

Cremation has taken place at McAdam’s Funeral Home. A small casual gathering will be held to celebrate Ellen’s life on Monday, August 20th, 2018 from 2 PM – 4 PM at the “Niger Reef Tea House”, 1 Joe’s Point Road, Saint Andrews E5B1S3.

Donations in memoriam may be made to Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre (139 Water St., St Andrews, E3B 1A7) in support of the Children’s Class Programs.