Obituary of Carolyn Jean Burpee

It is with heavy hearts the family of Carolyn Jean (Peterson) Burpee of Keswick Ridge, NB announce her passing at Hospice House Fredericton, NB after a brief battle with lung cancer on September 11, 2024. Carolyn was born in Fredericton on December 9, 1944 to Walter (Brub) & Jean Peterson. In addition to her parents Carolyn was predeceased by her husband of 48 years Terry Burpee, and in-laws Lloyd & Dorena (Sullivan) McGibbon, as well as fur babies Precious, Max & Missee.

Carolyn is survived by daughters Kim Laforest (John) of Scotch Lake NB, Krista Buell (Steve) of Scotch Settlement NB and Tammy Deschenes (Luc) of Keswick Ridge NB. Grandchildren Conner Buell (Emily), Carlie Johnson (Dave) and Mathieux Deschenes, great grandchildren Rachel & Ryan Buell. Her only sister Dianne Doucette (Dale), sisters-in-law Carolyn Burpee (late Bill Sutton), Connie Lagerlof (Pat), Susan Burpee (Stu Eccles), brother-in-law David McGibbon(Yuling), special cousin Sandra Saunders (Brian) and longtime friend Janet Letendre (late Roland), several nieces, nephews & cousins.

Carolyn was a stay at home mom while her girls were growing up. She accompanied Terry to Newfoundland, British Columbia & Ontario before they came back to New Brunswick where they followed their dreams and started a well drilling business T.M.Burpee Drilling Ltd in 1985. She was an impeccable bookkeeper while maintaining their house and home. When Terry passed away in 2017 she was happy to see the business be taken over by Krista & Steve. Now Conner (5th generation) is carrying on the family tradition of well drilling.

Whether it was camping trips (she was terrified of frogs), going out for supper, to a dance, or a quick weekend away to Maine, mom was always up for a good time and she and dad had a wonderful life together. After he became confined to a wheelchair the family gatherings were held at their place and there was always lots of food, fun, music and laughter. 

She was so pleased to attend granddaughter Carlie and Dave’s wedding in June and although she was in Hospice House when grandson Conner and Emily got married in August she was able to watch it on FaceTime with her longtime hairdresser Mary Long.

She was proud of her girls and their families, with all of them ending up running successful businesses as well. She loved being a Nan and more recently becoming a great Nan. Even the grand dogs could count on Nan to have doggy biscuits in the pantry. She loved ABBA and hopefully she and dad are cutting a rug to Dancing Queen again!

We would like to thank Dr. Clay Marco for looking after mom these past months and getting her taken care of so quickly. We cannot say enough about the amazing care mom received during her 3 week stay at Hospice House, you truly are special angels and she loved all of you. Also Dianne and Dale for everything you have done for mom over the years, I don’t know how she would have managed without you guys.

A memorial service will be held at York Funeral Home’s T. Gordon MacLeod Memorial Chapel on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 2pm with Rev. Chris Bennett officiating. A reception will follow in the Fireside Room. Internment will take place in Keswick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice House Fredericton.