Obituary of Dorena Rachel McGibbon

The family of Dorena McGibbon would like to invite extended family and friends to a Celebration of Dorena’s life at York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton on Saturday, August 19, at 11 am. Reception and interment will follow.

Dorena passed away on May 3, 2023 after a brief illness. She was 95. She was born Dorena Rachel Sullivan on August 22, 1927, in Perth, New Brunswick to Gwyneth (Everett) Sullivan and Pius Sullivan Sr.

She is survived by one brother, Alan Sullivan (Mary); three daughters, Carolyn Burpee (late Bill Sutton), Connie Lagerlöf (Pat), Susan Burpee (Stuart Eccles); one son, David McGibbon (Yuling Wen); grandchildren, Kim Laforest (John), Krista Burpee-Buell (Steve), Tammy Burpee-Deschenes (Luc), Robert Sutton, Rebecca Lagerlöf-Haynes (John), Björn Lagerlöf (Angela), Elisabeth Lagerlöf (Brad Saunders), Ashley McGibbon, and Alastair McGibbon; several great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Burpee; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Dorena was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd McGibbon; her son, Terry Burpee; two sisters; and four brothers.

Dorena worked for several years at the Motor Vehicle Branch of the New Brunswick government before leaving to devote herself full-time to her life on the farm in Douglas where she resided with her husband of many years, Lloyd McGibbon. She excelled at baking, crafts, cake decorating, gardening, and a myriad of other creative pursuits. She loved her life on the farm and was well known among family and friends for her baking, her flower-growing, and her wry sense of humour. She will be missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Arthritis Society of Canada would be appreciated. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com