Obituary of Marietta Finley
The death of Marietta Holt Finley, beloved wife of the late Dr. John A. Finley, occurred at St. John & St. Stephen Church Home on February 2, 2021.
Born in St. George, daughter of the late Evelyn (Holt) and Frank Jackson, she attended local schools graduating from Eastern Charlotte Regional High School in 1952. Following that, she trained at the Saint John General Hospital School of Nursing from which she graduated in 1955. Obtaining her nurses registration shortly thereafter, she assumed the position as Assistant Head Nurse Manager of the department in October 1969 – a position she held there and at the Saint John Regional Hospital Operating Room until her retirement in August 1994 following 39 years of service.
During her nursing career, she was directly involved in planning renovations of the operating theatres in the 1960’s. As well she aided in developing the physical layout and materials delivery systems for the new surgical suites of the Saint John Regional Hospital, an undertaking spanning 13 years and culminating in the opening of that facility in 1982. Less than ten years later, it was determined the N.B. Heart Centre would be located in Saint John. Mrs. Finley was involved in planning the cardiac surgical suite that operated on it’s first patient in April 1991.
As a member of the Nursing Association of New Brunswick and the Canadian Nurses Association, Mrs. Finley actively participated in the establishment of the New Brunswick Operating Nurses Group. She was a charter member and vice-president of the group at its inception. She was presented a life membership in 1992 by the group in recognition of her contribution to operating room nursing. A New Brunswick representative on the committee established to organize the Operating Room Nurses of Canada. Mrs. Finley also held membership in the Association of Operating Room Nurses (American) and was a life member of the Saint John General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae.
A music lover, Mrs. Finley belonged to several choirs and organizations during her lifetime – The Y.M.C.A. Mastersingers, The Y.M.C.A. Chorale (Oratorio), the New Brunswick Opera Company under the direction of Dianne Oxner (performances given in conjunction with the Saint John Arts Council), Sine Nominae, and St. Paul’s Valley Church Senior Choir.
Dr. and Mrs. Finley enjoyed travel to a vast number of places – one six week driving trip of 11,015 miles saw them cross Canada and the United States. Other trips include Canada’s north country to the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East, Mexico, the Hawaiian and Caribbean Islands and Panama, Europe including The United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Sicily, Yugoslavia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Russia and Greece.
An avid bridge player and reader – Mrs. Finley still found time to keep up with another interest – the piano.
Mrs. Finley is survived by her children, David N.F. Nickerson (Elspeth), Deborah L. Nickerson (Robert), three grand children, Michael Nickerson (Jennifer), Joey and Sophie Nickerson, stepson Dr. John P. Finley (Carolyn) step grand children, Ian (Andrea) and Christine Finley, Sarah Fraser (Daniel), one step great grand child Gretchen Fiona, one brother Bruce D. Jackson and his wife Carolyn, nephews Christopher Jackson (Jasna) and Kyle, great-niece Hannah Jackson, several cousins, Stepbrothers Sheldon (Joan – Deceased) Robert, Gary (Dianne) Lee, stepsisters Jeanette Dobbin (W. Frederick), Bettie Sampson, Sharon Hoyt (Brian), faithful friends Judi Stiles and Naida Heans.
Also predeceased by her sister Shirley Madeline McCarty, sister-in-law Patricia Schell (Carl), Bev Sayer (Geoff), stepbrother Lawrence (Nedra), stepsisters Josephine Barker (Alfred), stepsister-in-law Yvonne Lee, stepson Richard A. Finley, stepmother Helen Lee Jackson and stepbrother Arthur Lee.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). Due to Covid-19 restrictions the visitation and service will be private. Interment at Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, donations may be made to any charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be placed at www.brenansfh.com
