Bathurst - Mrs. Renée Buraglia, 75, formerly of Murray Avenue, Bathurst, passed away early on Friday December 8, 2017, with her son and daughter by her side at Chaleur Regional hospital. She was pre-deceased by her husband Tim Buraglia.
Born in Bathurst, NB, she was the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Marie Jeanne Frenette. Pre-deceased by her sister Colombe LaFrance of Nashville TN.
She is survived by her daughter Giana Armstrong, son in law Deryl, granddaughters Kate and Mia of Fredericton, her son Claude, daughter-in-law Jennifer, grandsons William and Nicholas of St Lazare QC.
Renée was truly a selfless person who fiercely protected and cared for her family and friends. She always put her family and friends ahead of herself. Renée spent two decades caring for her late husband and mother when prolonged illnesses befell them. Following her husband Tim’s passing in 2007, Renée gratefully celebrated the arrival of each of her four grandchildren whom she cherished dearly. During this time, Renée also enthusiastically pursued her passion of global travel. Her genuine respect and curiosity of cultures around the world brought her to all corners of the globe. Renée toured Singapore, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Greece and Italy to name a few, but fell in love with New York. She spoke of her trips to Disney with her grandkids fondly, especially the exciting rides - Renée was always a thrill seeker! Her favorite trips however were those spent visiting with her grandchildren in Fredericton and Montreal, where she sometimes had ‘her’ kids getting in the way of the real fun! All who knew Renée understood her ‘Joie de vivre’. Time spent gathering with friends and family for good food and the occasional drink was always a highlight for her.
During the last couple of years of her life, while fighting her cancer, she especially cherished times spent with family and friends. She gathered strength and courage from her family and friends and was eternally grateful for their support. In return she gave us a legacy of loyalty, kindness, courage, compassion, tenacity and grace in her passing.
To her family and friends, she wanted to leave the following poem in her memory:
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid or me.
I took His hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play,
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow;
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.
All are welcome to join in a celebration of her life on Monday December 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday December 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Elhatton's Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst. There will be no formal funeral service.
Donations in memory of Renée may be made to the Hospice House in Fredericton (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/hospice-fredericton/), the Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.
The family would like to especially thank her in-home care providers, Extra Mural, as well as the nursing staff in the Palliative Care Unit at the Chaleur Regional Hospital.
For 73 years, Renée lived in her home on Murray Ave and will forever be remembered on her front veranda, enjoying life.
