1955-2026
The passing of Marielle (Maillet) McAleenan, loving wife of Peter McAleenan of Bethel NB occurred peacefully and surrounded by family at the Passamaquoddy Lodge, St. Andrews NB on September 12, 2026. Born in Newcastle NB on December 14, 1955, she was a daughter of the late Wilfred and Aurore (Landry) Maillet.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, in addition to her loving husband Peter, she will be sadly missed by her children: Jason McAleenan (Kate Ross) of Calgary AB and Shelley (Matt) Bruce of Stratford PE; her beloved grandchildren: Collin, Thomas, Ava and Madison; her brothers: France (Lianne) Maillet, Thomas (Celine) Maillet and Normand (Paulette) Maillet; her beloved sisters: Yolande (Clarence) Robichaud, Yvette (Louis) Cormier, Paulette Gionet, Nicole Gionet and Joanne (Donald) Caissie; brother-in-law Mike (Loretta) McAleenan, sister-in-law Patty (Eddy) Maillet, brother-in-law David Richard as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son, Marc, in infancy and by two sisters, Carole and Claudine.
Marielle was born into a big, French Acadian family in Rogersville, New Brunswick. It was there that she developed her love of music, the importance of family and her nurturing ways, being the 5th of 11 children.
It was also there that she met and married Peter. Soon after, they moved to St. George where she was embraced by Peter’s family. It didn’t take her long to develop a network of friends that became like another big family to her; in Oven Head at their first home, later in the Hillcrest Subdivision, and then at Lily Lake.
Her and Peter’s home became the gathering place for all of Jason and Shelley’s friends growing up. Marielle treated them like her own and always had freshly baked cookies, a homemade meal and an extra seat at the table for whomever wanted to stay. She was always the happiest surrounded by the lively energy of a full home.
Marielle was truly the most selfless person who dedicated her life to caring for others. Growing up she cared for her younger siblings, including her baby sister Carole with whom she had a very special bond. In her career as a Teacher’s Assistant at St. George Elementary School, she taught and provided special care for so many children over many years. She was gifted at teaching and sharing her wisdom in her patient, gentle way. She had an extra special love for children; her own, their friends, her students, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and her greatest joys, her grandchildren Collin, Thomas, Ava and Madison.
Marielle continued caring for Jason and Shelley and their friends when they went on to university in Fredericton; making sure their fridges and pantries were always stocked, never missing one of Jason’s basketball games, baking cookies for the team and making sure his laundry was done and apartment cleaned (she loved to clean!).
Later, when she became ill, her nurturing ways continued to shine through. Even when she had difficulty communicating, she could often be heard trying to offer some food, a napkin, a blanket. Always putting others’ needs before her own.
Marielle found joy in life’s little pleasures. She loved to shop. A weekend shopping trip, a good Marden’s run, a ‘girls’ day’ with Shelley and her girls. She loved to be outside in nature, caring for her flowers, working in her garden, feeding the hummingbirds at the lake, going for walks, hiking in the mountains with Peter, Jason, Kate and the boys. She loved music, singing in the church choir, playing the guitar around a campfire with family and friends, dancing in the kitchen with the kids. She loved nothing more than a big family gathering full of love, laughter, food and music.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff from Kindred Home Care who cared for Marielle while she was at home, and for the kindness and care provided by the staff at Passamaquoddy Lodge who treated her like family for the three years she resided there. Their compassionate care will never be forgotten.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 2:00 pm from St. George’s Roman Catholic Church, St. George NB with Fr. Abelardo Sobredo officiating followed by interment in St. George’s Catholic Cemetery. Visiting at the church will take place prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon. In Marielle’s memory, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of New Brunswick would be appreciated by the family.
Arrangements in the care of the St. George Funeral Home (506-755-3533), 26 Portage Street, St. George NB.
