Goldie Dora McBurnie – 92, Economy, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at home. Born in St. Anthony, Newfoundland, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Rosanna (Coates) Parrill.
Goldie worked at Grenfell Mission, an orphanage in Newfoundland, during her teenage years; she found this to be a very rewarding job and loved her time working there. In her early twenties she worked as a caregiver for the family of a prominent doctor in St. John's, NFLD before moving to Nova Scotia and then to New Brunswick to stay with her sister and brother in law. During this time she had various jobs including working in a hair salon.
She came to Economy in 1954 where she met and married her husband Aubrey in 1955. She worked in the lumber camps as a cook for a time, was a wonderful homemaker and worked on the family farm, which was hard work. She enjoyed the beauty of all kinds of flowers and was a wonderful baker; she will be remembered for the hundreds of loaves of bread she made, lemon loaves, pumpkins loaves and dozens and dozens of cookies that she shared freely. Her mind and body were sharp right until the time of her death, enjoying outings with her children as recent as last weekend.
She was the matriarch of our family, loved life, was kind and generous to a fault, had a wonderful sense of humour and loved her family unconditionally. We will forever be filled with so much love from and for her and will cherish the many, many memories we are so fortunate to have.
Goldie is survived by her children, Susan McBurnie-Beaver, Debert; Leonard (Diane) McBurnie, Economy; Andrew McBurnie (Sandra Snow), Economy; Lisa (Paul) Gamble, Debert; grandchildren, Angie (Ian), David (Joy), Jennifer (Raymond), Amber, Ashley; step granddaughters, Olivia and Chelsea; great grandchildren, Joshua, Chloe, Callie, Maddy, Lexie, Clara, Jaxon, Luccas, Nash, Kiana; sister, May (Grant) Keefe, St. Anthony, Newfoundland; brother-in-law, Pearce Penney, St. John’s, Newfoundland; several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Aubrey; son, Charles in infancy; siblings, Amie, Mamie, Rita, Josie, George, Andrew, Roland, Norman.
Goldie’s family will receive friends from 2-2:45 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2024, followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2024, in Economy United Church, 3360 Highway 2, Economy, Marty Clark-Ettinger, DLM officiating. (Recording of the funeral service will be available on the funeral home website 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2024 and will remain on the website for some time.) Spring interment in Economy Cemetery. If so desired, donations in Goldie’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation are welcomed.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Tributes, words of comfort and memories may be shared at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com