Obituary of Beatrice McGinnis

It is with great sadness, but grateful hearts for a long life well lived, we announce the passing of our beautiful, sweet mother, Beatrice Ellen McGinnis which occurred on Monday, December 1, 2025, surrounded by her family at the Saint John Regional Hospital.  Beatrice was born on September 5, 1923, a daughter of the late David and Clara (McLaughlin) Given.

Beatty was born and lived on the same street in Norton her entire life of 102 years, just a few steps from Sacred Heart Church, her favorite place on earth.  Her world was small, but her life and heart were huge.  She graduated from the Norton Consolidated School in 1941 as Valedictorian and went on to business college in Saint John. Soon after, Beatrice met the love of her life Earl McGinnis (as she referred to as the greatest man to ever live) and they were married on August 20, 1946, and were married for 63 years, before Earl’s death in 2009. Their home was always open to many family and friends were welcome to stay as long as they needed.

Beatty was a lifetime parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was a lay reader for over 50 years.  One of her proudest moments was being chosen to read the Scripture at the 1984 Papal Mass in Moncton, NB for Pope John Paul II. 

Beatty was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Ladies Society, New Brunswick Women’s Institute, and Norton Seniors.

Above all, Beatrice was a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother and she will be dearly missed.  She is survived by her son Austin McGinnis (Jan) of Sussex, NB, and daughters Anita Pollock, Lorena Roy (Leonard) and Sherry Gray (Glen) all of Norton, NB and daughter in law Joan McGinnis, Bloomfield, NB. Grandchildren: Lisa Richard (Greg), Cheryl Thorne (Jason), Barry McGinnis (Nicole), Jamie Dunlap (Melissa) Darren McGinnis (Trish), Shannon Pollock (Rickard), Leanne Pollock, Tara Brown (Nick), Kayla McPhee (Colton), Michelle Gray (Johnathan), Nicole Roy(Jacob) Mackenzie Gray, and Great Grandchildren: Brianna, Levi, Maya, Avery, Connor, Christian, Sera, Blake, Addison, Norah Beatrice, LJ, Dawson, Polly, Auston, Lucas.

Beatrice is also survived by her sister Eunice O’Donnell of Norton, NB and sister in law Catherine McGinnis of Fairvale, NB, as well as many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

In addition to her parents, Beatrice was predeceased by her loving husband Earl McGinnis, her oldest son Eugene McGinnis, her son-in-law Richard Pollock, her sister Agnes Teakles (Hartley), her brother Orean Given, her brother-in-law Stan O'Donnell. As well as In Laws, Joseph & Leona McGinnis, Agnes & Donald Campbell, Gerald & Doris McGinnis, Doris & Roy Monahan and William McGinnis, and several nieces and nephews, and very special nieces Verna Desruisseau & Darlene Clement.

Special thanks to Mom’s Homecare Givers who we are eternally grateful for their care and help, allowing us to keep Mom in her own home up until the time of her death. NB Extra Mural Nurses and Dow Quality Health Care Homecare and staff, but especially Jennylee, Cylvia, Molly, Kassandra, Roberta, Syd, Ashley, Tracey, Shirley, and Cindy.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sherwood’s Funeral Home and Life Tribute Centre (506 839-2156) Norton, NB, where visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 3:00 to 8:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Norton, NB on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Norton, NB.

Donations in Memory of Beatrice may be made to Sacred Heart Cemetery, Sacred Heart Ladies Society, NB, or the Extra Mural Nurses.  Personal Condolences to the family and memorial donations may be made through Sherwoodsfuneralhome.com