Rothesay's Bev Sayre leaves legacy of caring
By Vanessa Packman
KV Weekend
Bev Sayre was a lady of action. The dedicated Rothesay resident left a rich legacy of caring and a community a little richer for her having lived there following her passing this fall. Friends and family are still adjusting to their loss after Mrs. Sayre died in September at 86 years old.
Her dedication to family and community extended into nearly every corner of the place she adopted. Born is Saint John in 1917, she moved to Gondola Point Road with her husband, Geoff, shortly after they married in 1941. Even while raising their five children, she found time to participate in many facets of the town.
Rothesay Regional Fire Chief Larry Greer got to know Mrs. Sayre both professionally and as a friend. His memories of her extend as much to sound as sight. Ever since he joined the Rothesay Regional Fire Department in 1968, he can remember her as the voice on the dispatch radio. She was often the centre of calm, providing vital information to the men racing off to battle a fire.
“Bev was the unwavering voice on the other end of the fire department radios who spent out the original call complete with any available directions. She maintained radio contact with all responders and gave updates when they became available as well as assisting in obtaining any additional resources required. There was never any doubt regarding the message she sent. It was clear, concise and accurate,” he said.
Mr. Greer chuckles over how, on many nights, Mrs. Sayre would bring area firefighters leaping out of bed when she sounded the signature tuning fork over the radio to alert them to a fire call.
“Many’s the night you would bound out of bed when you heard that sound,” he said. “And then, you would hear Bev’s voice coming afterwards, providing details.”
As wife of the fire chief, Geoff Sayre, Mrs. Sayre was integral in the smooth operation of the five services in the community.
But her community work went beyond that. She helped found and operate the Kennebecasis Valley Food Basket for 19 years, as well as being an active member of St. Paul’s Church. She was the first treasurer of the Catherine E. Black Chapter of the IODE, a member of St Paul’s Anglican Church Vestry, ACW and Altar Guild and the first Woman Warden in her church.
Along with this impressive list of services, Mrs. Sayre also enjoyed collecting the stories and history of her community, especially that of Old Rothesay, Mr. Greer said. The two were on the committee for the Rothesay Living Museum together to create an exhibit for the local fire department. Much of her material has found its way into the group’s collection, and she was in the midst of several projects when she died.
“She would keep her material in dresser drawers, lots of it,” he said “She was very dedicated, very thorough.”
“She kept very good notes,” agreed Mr. Perkins, curator of the Rothesay Living Museum. “She would get material, and then as she was compiling it would realize there were a few more things to add. She would go back to the person and say ‘We need a little more.’ She was dedicated to doing a good job.” This quiet determination earned Mrs. Sayre awards such as the Diocesan Roll of Honour, Beta Sigma Phi Lady of the Year, Maritimer of the Week, United Nations Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteerism and Queens Jubilee Award.
“She was a great lady and I can’t believe she’s gone,” said Rothesay Living Museum secretary Ellen Steeves.
KV Weekend
Bev Sayre was a lady of action. The dedicated Rothesay resident left a rich legacy of caring and a community a little richer for her having lived there following her passing this fall. Friends and family are still adjusting to their loss after Mrs. Sayre died in September at 86 years old.
Her dedication to family and community extended into nearly every corner of the place she adopted. Born is Saint John in 1917, she moved to Gondola Point Road with her husband, Geoff, shortly after they married in 1941. Even while raising their five children, she found time to participate in many facets of the town.
Rothesay Regional Fire Chief Larry Greer got to know Mrs. Sayre both professionally and as a friend. His memories of her extend as much to sound as sight. Ever since he joined the Rothesay Regional Fire Department in 1968, he can remember her as the voice on the dispatch radio. She was often the centre of calm, providing vital information to the men racing off to battle a fire.
“Bev was the unwavering voice on the other end of the fire department radios who spent out the original call complete with any available directions. She maintained radio contact with all responders and gave updates when they became available as well as assisting in obtaining any additional resources required. There was never any doubt regarding the message she sent. It was clear, concise and accurate,” he said.
Mr. Greer chuckles over how, on many nights, Mrs. Sayre would bring area firefighters leaping out of bed when she sounded the signature tuning fork over the radio to alert them to a fire call.
“Many’s the night you would bound out of bed when you heard that sound,” he said. “And then, you would hear Bev’s voice coming afterwards, providing details.”
As wife of the fire chief, Geoff Sayre, Mrs. Sayre was integral in the smooth operation of the five services in the community.
But her community work went beyond that. She helped found and operate the Kennebecasis Valley Food Basket for 19 years, as well as being an active member of St. Paul’s Church. She was the first treasurer of the Catherine E. Black Chapter of the IODE, a member of St Paul’s Anglican Church Vestry, ACW and Altar Guild and the first Woman Warden in her church.
Along with this impressive list of services, Mrs. Sayre also enjoyed collecting the stories and history of her community, especially that of Old Rothesay, Mr. Greer said. The two were on the committee for the Rothesay Living Museum together to create an exhibit for the local fire department. Much of her material has found its way into the group’s collection, and she was in the midst of several projects when she died.
“She would keep her material in dresser drawers, lots of it,” he said “She was very dedicated, very thorough.”
“She kept very good notes,” agreed Mr. Perkins, curator of the Rothesay Living Museum. “She would get material, and then as she was compiling it would realize there were a few more things to add. She would go back to the person and say ‘We need a little more.’ She was dedicated to doing a good job.” This quiet determination earned Mrs. Sayre awards such as the Diocesan Roll of Honour, Beta Sigma Phi Lady of the Year, Maritimer of the Week, United Nations Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteerism and Queens Jubilee Award.
“She was a great lady and I can’t believe she’s gone,” said Rothesay Living Museum secretary Ellen Steeves.