Obituary of Mae English

It is with deep sadness that the family of Mae English (nee Power), formerly of Branch, St. Mary’s Bay, most recently of Placentia, Newfoundland, announces her peaceful passing at the age of 85, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mae passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Lion’s Manor Nursing Home, surrounded by loved ones. Pre-deceased by her parents, Bridget and Willy Power, husband Gerald, brothers, Ambrose and George, and grandson James. Mae leaves to mourn her sister Theresa (Francis, deceased); sisters-in- law, Cecelia and Kathleen; her children, Bill (Laurena), Allan (Wanda), Geraldine (Steve) and Alice (Paul); twelve grandchildren, Alanna (Luke), Kim (Anil), Emily (Mitch), Matthew, Laura, Katie, Heather, Ellie, Sam, Evelyn, Andrew, and Claire; great-grandsons, Milton and Conner; very special friends and chosen family, Brendan Whittle, and Gail Ward; as well as many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Daffodil Place, a crucial support for those with cancer in Newfoundland. https://homeforthenight.ca/daffodil-place/ Funeral arrangements entrusted to Coombs Funeral Home, Placentia. Visitation will take place on Sunday, August 3rd, from 2-9 p.m. at Coombs Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Anne’s Church, Dunville with Inurnment to follow at Coombs Memorial Cemetery, Southeast, Placentia. Mae grew up in Branch, St. Mary’s Bay - where a piece of her heart has always resided. She attended Littledale College and spent several years as a teacher before devoting her life to her family. It must be said that the center of Mae’s world was always her family. She was a home maker, in the truest sense of the word, creating a warm and loving home for her family. Known for her unwavering devotion to those she loved, Mae’s home was always filled with the scent of a freshly prepared meal (served promptly at 5pm - a warning of a late supper meant 5:15), or tea buns fresh from the oven. A woman of boundless energy, Mae could always be counted on to sew a hem, bake a cake, knit you a sweater and offer a listening ear (and some unsolicited advice) - often all in the same evening. Mae enjoyed the simple things in life. The perfect evening would end in a hot toddy and a game of crib. And woe to you if you couldn’t count your hand fast enough, she’d do it for you. She was never without a book in hand, she passed her love of reading on to her daughters and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were, quite literally, her pride and joy. This was never more evident than in the goals she set for herself last summer. She was determined to be healthy enough to attend one granddaughter’s wedding, another’s dance recital, and her grandson’s First Communion. Mae’s joy in being there for these moments was immeasurable. After retiring from her years of service at the Lion’s Manor Nursing Home, Mae turned her focus to her garden. While Gerald was in command of the vegetables, her flowers became the crowning jewel of Bartlett Street. Her apple tree fed friends and neighbours and her apple pies were legendary. You couldn’t leave her kitchen without the offer of a sweet treat - one for now and one to take home for later. Countless deep freezers from Branch to St. John’s likely still bare the fruits of her labours. Mae will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know her. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Lion’s Manor Nursing Home for their care and compassion, particularly Maggie, Deanne, and Josh, whose gentle, caring kindness and attention in Mae’s final days provided such comfort and peace.