Obituary of Margaret Lillian Brister

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Lillian Brister Funeral Mass - Part 1

Lillian Brister Funeral Mass - Part 2

Lillian Brister Funeral Mass - Part 3

September 18, 1937 – August 24, 2026

Surrounded by the love of her family and strengthened by her faith, Margaret Lillian Brister (Delorey) passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, just a few weeks shy of her 89th birthday.

Raised in Tracadie, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Annie Jane (Pettipas) Delorey. Lillian had a strong spirit and a personality all her own. She had a wonderfully cheeky side that those who knew and loved her will remember with a smile. She was kind-hearted, caring, and always willing to lend a helping hand.

Family was incredibly important to Lillian, and caring for others came naturally to her. She was dedicated to her work at the RK MacDonald Nursing Home where she worked as a CNA for many years. From there, she devoted herself to helping those she loved and took particular pride in caring for family members when they needed her, including her father, Nanny Brister, her brother Buddy and others in the years that followed.

Lillian’s Catholic faith was a constant source of strength and comfort throughout her life and remained so until the moment she passed. Her mornings began with EWTN and praying the rosary. When she was unable to attend Mass in person, she faithfully watched from home. Her faith was more than a daily practice; it was an important part of who she was and how she lived her life.

She came to live at the Manor these past two years because Joe A MacDonald invited her to the Rosary group where she was welcomed with open arms. Her friends at the Manor were like family to her and we are grateful to them and to Miss Ellie who helped her out when needed and Gary Mattie who did the driving.

Lillian was predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Brister, who passed away on July 2, 2008.

Lillian will be lovingly remembered by her children, Wayne (Suzanne), Robert “Bob” (Kelly), and Vicki Oliphant (Brian); her grandchildren, Rebecca (Tony Hill), Jason, Michael (Tasha) Brister; Mark (Arpana), Melanie (Nick) Jones, David Brister; Sister Amiee Marie OP (Lindsay), Jane, and Claire Oliphant; her great-grandchildren, Makena and Rory; siblings, Mary Gaudreau, George Delorey, Kathleen (Peter Schmitz), and Nancy (Romeo Distefano). Her memory will also be cherished by her many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In addition to her husband, Chuck, she was predeceased by her siblings, Stanley (Yvette), William (Theresa), Emma (Earl) Fraser, Buddy, Isabel Burns, Jim (Florence) and John.

Lillian will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her devotion to her family, her willingness to care for others, her strong spirit, and, of course, that cheeky side that made her uniquely Lillian. She leaves behind a family and friends who loved her dearly, a faith that guided her throughout her life, and many memories that will continue to bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Thursday, August 27, 2026 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am on Friday in St. Paul’s Church, Havre Boucher with Reverend Allan MacPhie presiding. Burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Tracadie. Memorial donations may be made to EWTN.com.