S. Arlene (McConvey) Parks, wife of the late Ronald E. Parks, passed away at Lincourt Manor, St Stephen, NB on Monday, November 15, 2021, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Basswood Ridge, N.B. in 1936, she was the daughter of the late John and Sophia (Higgins) McConvey.
Arlene was an educator and a supporter of higher education. She began her own education in Basswood Ridge until grade VII, the year the school closed. "School's Out". She continued her schooling in St. Stephen to graduation. She began her working career as Secretary at St. Stephen High School, while continuing her own education at NB Institute of Technology and received her Master of Education at UNB, all during summer school. Arlene had a teaching career at St. Stephen High School for 35 years. She was an advisor with the SSHS Yearbook and Graduation committees. In her spare time, she wrote the History of Basswood Ridge.
Arlene had a strong will and work ethic, love and devotion to her husband who had a stroke, was not able to speak, eat or walk, and was in a wheelchair for 19 years. Through persistence and working together, Ronnie was speaking, eating and able to walk.
Arlene loved decorating her Christmas trees, the "Grove", the farm in Basswood, watching wildlife, she was partial to cardinals, making jams and pickles, and finding a bargain at yard sales.
Arlene will be sadly missed by her sister, Myrna McConvey, aunt Lois Puig, sister-in-law, Evelyn Sampson, niece Vikki Oddo, several great-nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband, Arlene was predeceased by her brother Kenneth McConvey in April 2021.
In keeping with Arlene’s wishes, there will be no funeral service or visitation held.
For those who wish, donations would be appreciated to the Ronald and Arlene Parks Scholarship at UNB Fredericton. https://www.unb.ca/giving/ways/memorials/index.html (To ensure the donation will go towards the fund, the donor must add the name of the fund in the notes section) or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mehanfuneralhome.ca
A special thank you to Staff at Charlotte County Hospital, 2nd Floor and Lincourt Manor, especially "former students"., and neighbours and friends who helped at her home.