Ferne Jo Ann Speedy Kilbride

Ferne was born in Sudbury, Ontario on May 1st, 1941. She was raised in Harvey and McAdam, New Brunswick by the late Gertrude (Dorcas) Delaney, the late John Douglas Delaney and the late George Dorrien Speedy. Ferne is survived by her brothers John (Marise) Delaney and Paul (Shannon) Delaney, her sons Chris (Mylene) Kilbride, Rob (Tina) Kilbride, grandchildren Emile, Audrey, Lily and Samuel and nieces and nephews, Jillian, Patrick Rebecca, Michael, Kevin, Nadine, Patricia and Erin.

Ferne lost her father at a young age. In 1952, Ferne and her mother moved to McAdam where Gert met and married Doug Delaney. Gert and Doug raised Ferne to be hard working, helpful and kind and they encouraged her love of reading and writing from a young age. Soon, Ferne’s 2 younger brothers, John and Paul were born. Ferne was a caring and nurturing big sister who enjoyed playing with and taking care of the boys. This caring and loving way she had with children continued throughout her life.

In 1959, Ferne attended U.N.B where she studied to become a teacher. It was in History class where Ferne met the love of her life, Terry Kilbride. The two were married 8 years later, in 1967. Ferne was the organizer, the cook and the planner, while Terry helped Ferne to feel calm and adopt the belief that everything would always work out. It definitely did, as they enjoyed 56 very happy years of marriage.

Ferne loved to be around family. From making her well-loved pineapple chicken casserole, oatmeal cookies and chocolate cake for the Christmas and summer family parties, to entertaining the group with some up-beat piano playing, to organizing family gatherings at Harvey Lake, Ferne enjoyed these special times with the people she loved. In 1969, Ferne moved to Sudbury, Ontario where she became a highschool Special Education teacher. She improved the lives of many students over the years, teaching with patience and kindness. Ferne received her masters in Special Education and created a program for children with learning disabilities. She finished her career as the head of Special Education programming for schools in the Sudbury area.

Ferne’s family grew with the birth of her 2 sons, Chris and Rob. Ferne instilled good values in her children while giving them independence and the courage to take risks. Each day, she filled the home with wonderful smells of home-cooked meals, kept track of countless schedules, sports and activities and brought a general feeling of happiness and security to the home. Every summer and Christmas was spent travelling to New Brunswick to visit grandparents, relatives and her special group of friends. Ferne enjoyed these visits and made sure no home was missed on these trips.

Ferne and Terry retired in 1998, spending a year in Phoenix Arizona, and then returning to live in Fredericton, New Brunswick where they lived for the next 17 years. Ferne loved traveling the world with Terry. They had a favourite spot in Spain they returned to for several years. Ferne’s family expanded again with the marriages of Chris and Mylene and Rob and Tina and her new grandchildren, Emile, Audrey, Lily and Samuel. Ferne (Grandma) would bring back special gifts for each of the grandchildren when returning from Spain. She would take any opportunity to spoil them with an ice cream cone or her special oatmeal cookies.

Ferne has been through a lot in her life, battling asthma and other breathing conditions for many

years. She has taught us to be strong and to remain optimistic in the face of challenges. Although we will miss Ferne, and everything that made her the wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, relative, teacher and friend that she was, we can feel happy in the thought that Ferne will now be with her love, Terry. We will love and miss you always.

Ferne’s funeral will be Saturday, July 12th at 2:00 pm at the Wilmot United Church in

Fredericton, N.B. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Asthma Canada at https://asthma.ca/donate/