Stella Mary (Bastarache, McKinney) Walker

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend, Stella Walker has gone to be with God and her heavenly family. She was surrounded by her loved ones at her home at Cohen Hall (Shannex) when God peacefully called her on Monday, May 29th, 2023. Stella was born in Saint John on March 5, 1931; a daughter of the late Catherine (Hachey) and Anthony Bastarache, and the loving wife of the late William James Richard McKinney and Henry David Walker. 

Stella entered the workforce at a young age working at McAvity's, the Cotton Mill, and various other jobs. While raising her family she provided loving childcare to many children.

Stella loved to volunteer her time. She served on the Board of Directors and spent many years the with the Mothers Auxiliary at the Saint John Boys and Girls Club. Her favorites were cooking classes and working in the canteen. Stella spent many years as a member of the CWL, St. Vincent De Paul, and was always involved with school activities such as bazaars, bake sales, and much more. She loved to give of her time.

Stella spent her “spare” time crafting, knitting, sewing, quilting, baking (she was known for her brownies and date squares) and much more. She loved to pass her skills on to her family and anyone else that wanted to learn.

She is survived by her daughters; Trish (Jim) Irvine, Janet (Dave) Howe, and Rose Marie (Richard) Mailman, stepchildren Cathy (Joe) Gould, Henry Walker (Marilyn), Leonard Walker (Karen) and David Walker, sons-in-laws Tom Ramsey and Joe Munroe. Brothers Ronald (Beth) Bastarache, Donald Bastarache and her sister-in-law Dianne Bastarache. 22 grandchildren: Mary Catherine, Doug, Corinne(Jason), Andrew(Tonya), Theresia, Emily (Crystal), Eliot (Liz), Christine, Maggie, Jessica, Ashley (Scott), Will (Danielle), Dustin (Danielle), Corey, Keeley (Marc), Amie (Kevin), Taylor (Fallon), Brittany (Mike), Dillyn (Carrie), Howie (Sharleen), Jennifer (Paul) and Cathy-Jo, 49 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents, Stella was pre-deceased by her daughters Cathy Ramsey, Karen Cummings, brothers Clarence, Frank (Bay), and Edward, sisters Ida, Annette and Baby Ida (in infancy).

Stella’s family would like to thank the staff at Shannex in Millidgeville for their care and compassion during Mom’s stay. She truly enjoyed calling Cohen Hall her home.

Resting at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John (646-2424) with visitation being held on Monday, June 5th from 4-8 p.m. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 6th at 10:00 AM at the Fundy Funeral Home Chapel, refreshments will follow in the reception room. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

For those who wish, remembrances to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

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