Obituary of Erna Hillevi McBride

MCBRIDE, Erna Hillevi

Never one to miss a party, Erna Hillevi McBride passed on from this earth on August 2, 2021, shortly after planning and celebrating her 90th birthday. She will be dearly missed by her son David and his wife Catherine, nieces Kim Tucker and Suzanne Tucker and family (David Yates, Sam (Rachel) and Don), and a host of close friends who helped to make her life so special.

The daughter of Scandinavian immigrants, Gunvor Shoemaker (nee Bydal) and Axel Almquist, Erna grew up in North Bay, Ontario then obtained her Registered Nursing designation from Hamilton General Hospital. She moved to St Catharines in 1955 to marry Jack, her loving husband and confidant for 57 years until his passing in 2012. They were blessed with three children, David (Catherine), Erin (2010) and James (2019). Erna was the social convener of the family and ensured a busy life with just enough mayhem thrown in to make things interesting. Cherished time was spent at the family cottage in Kipawa QC and on travel adventures throughout the world.

Erna was guided by the notions that you can never have enough friends, you can never spend enough time with those you hold dear and there is always more that can be done to help those in need. She possessed a remarkable energy and enthusiasm that she directed to her family, friends and numerous causes. She was a tireless advocate for her son, James, and for support for adults with Autism.

Her Christian faith was important to her and she was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church for more than 65 years. She was a long-time supporter and co-ordinator of many aid and fundraising projects, a past member of Church Council and the choir, an organizer and contributor to the annual church bazaar and Brown Owl of the 28th Brownie Pack for more than 25 years.

Erna was a long-time volunteer and member of the Boards of Directors of Luther Manor, a seniors apartment residence in St Catharines, and Haiti Lutheran Mission Society, where she spent countless hours raising funds and support for projects and programs. Her daughter Erin contributed the start-up funds for a program at Mixte Nazareth School that currently feeds 400 children.

She had many hobbies and maintained life-long friendships with fellow nurses, weavers, knitters, bridge players and walkers.

Erna’s final days were spent at Hospice Niagara in St Catharines under the care of a very special group of staff and volunteers who quickly became new friends. Their attention and support, including indulging Erna’s love of ice cream, were so very much appreciated.

Visitations will be held at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines on Thursday September 9 from 2-3:30 and 7-8:30 PM. A private funeral service will be held at a future date. All guests attending the visitation or the funeral must wear a mask. Donations in Erna’s memory can be made to Christ Lutheran Church-Haiti Lutheran Mission Children Feeding Fund or to Hospice Niagara.   

All guests attending the visitation must wear a mask.