Betty Cluthé joined Christ Church Cathedral in 2011. She attends the 10am Holy Eucharist and currently volunteers with the Cathedral Visitors. She was born in Germany and raised in the Lutheran Church.

Surviving World War II and the collapse of Berlin, Betty emigrated from Germany and arrived in Canada in 1954, following in her sister’s footsteps. She was 25 years old, not afraid of adventure and with a passion to learn.

She began her first job on Canadian soil in Toronto as Mother’s Helper to a local doctor and his wife and two small children. Betty quickly began to conquer the English language and within 6 months was ready for more.

She was hired by Fibreglas Canada Ltd. and worked in their accounting department for five years. Then she wanted to learn something else and got involved in the travel business. She speaks with great enthusiasm of her years in the travel business, booking domestic and foreign trips in an age before computer technology. It was during that time that Betty met her husband. Many enjoyable years followed on a farm they bought, where they raised Limousin cattle and established a cow/calf operation – another opportunity to learn which Betty embraced with a passion. After giving up the farm due to her husband’s declining health, Betty thought her brain needed some stimulation and enrolled in university courses. Before long, she was a full-time student working towards a Bachelor of Arts.

She came to Fredericton in 1991 to be closer to her sister. As a new challenge, she wrote the Real Estate exam and worked in the business for a number of years until an opportunity to get involved in translating and interpreting for incoming German trade delegations came along. Over the next few years, as a freelance agent, she worked for the NB Department of Economic Development, the Provincial Court system, and provided translating services for a number of individuals connected with UNB faculties and other business establishments.

In her late 70’s, Betty decided to get more exercise and fresh air. A friend suggested a paper route. She called the Daily Gleaner and thus began yet another new venture since landing in Canada in 1954. Getting up at 3 am to fetch the papers between 4 and 5 am did not seem so bad for Betty since she had always been an early riser – although not that early! Once again, the enthusiasm comes shining through as she describes the joy of being the first one to walk on new fallen snow, the unique stillness of the early mornings and the friends she made along the way.

This month, after more than nine years, and much to the chagrin of her clients and her employer, Betty gave up her “motor route” with The Daily Gleaner. At the time of writing, she is 88 years old.

Now contemplating her next venture, Betty, who published a book, “Out of Ruins and Dreams” in 2013* and is still writing, indicated that she has an iron or two in the fire and just has to decide. Whatever it is, there is no doubt that she will do it with enthusiasm and will find joy in the new adventure.

“Out of Ruins and Dreams” by Betty E. Cluthé is available at Westminster Books or online at Amazon.ca.

Gail MacGillivary

Lois Baker, a familiar face to the Cathedral family, has been an integral force in the Cathedral since she arrived here from Newcastle in 1956 as a student at Teachers’ College, living in the old Rosary Hall among the nuns. She met her husband, Gerald Baker, in Fredericton, and he wanted to marry her but he thought she was Roman Catholic, because she attended “the biggest church in Fredericton.” He was worried his family might have an issue with him marrying a Roman Catholic.  She soon set him straight!

She and Gerald had four children, two boys and two girls and now five grandchildren. All their children grew up in Fredericton and attended the Cathedral regularly, but only two are still local.

Over the years, Lois has held probably every office possible in the Cathedral.  She was a member of Bishop and Chapter, a Synod delegate for many years, Diocesan President of the Anglican Church Women (ACW) for four years, after being Vice-President for several, and then Past-President for another four – a “life sentence,” she laughs. Lois has also been a member of the Altar Guild, Kitchen and Catering, Friendship Guild and other groups.

She still works unceasingly for the Cathedral family, has many close friends in the congregation, recalls many “wonderful people” she has known and has lots of amusing anecdotes to tell.

Lois has been at the Cathedral since Dean Gray, and remembers many stories about all the Deans from that time to present. She is a fountain of information about every aspect of Cathedral life.

Life has not always been easy for her.  She lost her husband a few years ago, and soon afterwards underwent major surgery in Saint John for an aortic aneurysm — not a smooth time for her.  However, she is very thankful to have now made a full recovery. Lois is a very strong personality and comes from “good genes.”  Her mother is still living and is in an assisted living home in Moncton, after living in her own home until she was 89 years old. Lois learned to drive when she was 30 because, she had a young family considered it was necessary. Her husband worked for the government and was frequently travelling. She tells of him earning an extra ten cents per hour because he was bilingual!

Lois can frequently be seen at the Cathedral and the activities connected with it, but her favourite worship time is Holy Eucharist on Wednesday mornings.

We are thankful to have Lois as a very active and special part of our Cathedral family.

Marilyn Lewell

The Decken/Lazaris family consisting of Dad – Andreas, Mom – Roula and 14 year old Hannah worship at 11:45 a.m. on Sundays. After searching around for a home Church as newcomers to Fredericton, a good friend suggested that they might enjoy “11:45 at the Cathedral” and they’ve been regulars ever since.

Andreas came to Canada from Germany in 1987 as part of a student exchange program at McMaster University. He loved the Canadian experience so much that he went home, finished his degree and headed back to McMaster to do his PhD in chemistry. Andreas and Roula, met at the Hamilton Sailing Club where Roula, who was living and working in Toronto, frequently sailed with her sister and brother-in-law. They were engaged before the PhD was completed! After a 2 year stint in Austin, Texas doing a post-doctorate fellowship, Andreas accepted a position at University of New Brunswick. He is in his 21st year at UNB and currently holds the position as Assistant Dean in Science and Associate Professor in Chemistry.

You can breathe now, Andreas!

Nowadays, there are many young families and toddlers at 11:45 but when baby Hannah started attending, she was pretty much the only child! She went on to become the first little one to actively join in the worship music as she danced in the aisles! Then, when she was about six years old, she became the first little one to help prepare for Communion at the credence table assisting then Dean Keith Joyce. Andreas recalls the first day tiny Hannah was allowed to hold the chalice! “I was sure that she was going to drop it and only realized how nervous I was when Gregg Finley poked me in the back and said, “You can breathe now, Andreas!”

Hannah has been able to pass on the reins both for helping with Communion and dancing in the aisles. At almost 15 years old, she is more likely to be found at the back of the Church helping out with the toddlers!

Hannah, Roula and Andreas have been residents of Douglas for 18 years and members of Christ Church Cathedral since 1998.

Critically acclaimed soprano Sally Dibblee graciously agreed to a recent interview

Sally has enjoyed a career of twenty years in opera houses and concert halls throughout North America.  Born in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Sally now lives in Fredericton with her husband, Chris Lynn, and two sons, Robbie and Patrick.  They attend Christ Church Cathedral.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University and received a Diploma in Operatic Studies from the University of Toronto, where she studied with the wonderful Canadian soprano Lois Marshall.  She was a member of the Opera Ensemble of the Canadian Opera Company and had her main stage debuts with the Canadian Opera Company in the roles of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and Musetta in La Boheme.

Sally is active as an adjudicator in the Maritimes both at regional and provincial levels and gives frequent vocal master classes across Canada. Sally is featured on an ECMA 2007 nominated disc with the Saint John String Quartet and on Le Souvenir, Canadian Songs for Parlour and Stage with acclaimed baritone Russell Braun.

This very busy lady talked about the influence that the Anglican Parish of Woodstock has had on her life and career. Growing up, she was a member of the choir from an early age, and she even played the pump organ each Sunday during her high school years, at Christ Church Woodstock, on the St. John River. Our own Bill Turney was one of her mentors.

Sally frequently attended the summer Diocesan Choir School, which was for several years held at Camp Medley. The closing Evensong of Choir School in those days was always held at the Christ Church Cathedral, and again, Bill Turney was there!

Years later, after marriage to Chris Lynn (whom she met at Mount Allison), and two sons, her career took off.  She was living in Toronto, and Chris was a “stay-at-home Dad.” They decided that it would be better for their little family to return to the Maritimes to live. Chris now has a successful banking career with President’s Choice Financial (PC Bank).

When it came time to choose a church home, the Cathedral was “a natural.” She already knew Bill, and had sung there with the Choir School. Immediately, she and Chris knew that they had made a good choice as everyone was friendly and supportive.

Both Robbie and Patrick were members of the Cathedral Treble choir: Robbie while Michael Capon was Director of Music and, Patrick with Dr. Willis Noble. “They loved it,” says Sally.  As a result of this influence, (and the genes helped) both have continued their interest in singing, taking part in Calithumpians, school and university choirs (Robbie), and GODSPELL, (both boys), produced at the Cathedral recently with Willis Noble and Terry Pond. Patrick was a Cathedral tour guide during the summer of 2015, and currently has shown strong talents in stage management at Fredericton High School and with Theatre New Brunswick.

Robbie and Patrick have been both choristers and camp counsellors at Choir School, for several years now hosted again at Rothesay Netherwood School. They say that “It would be a good idea for teams of former Choir School choristers to go out to their local areas and tell about the wonderful times there, and maybe even show some videos to prove it!”  The enthusiasm is contagious.  “Many just don’t  know what they’re missing!”

Sally is herself had slightly different sort of summer recently, playing the lead in a Broadway play at the St. Andrews Summer Theatre in St. Andrews, NB.  Written by Stephen Temperley, “Souvenir” is a comedy of the vocally challenged diva Florence Foster Jenkins.

Sally and Chris are thankful for the congregation and staff at Christ Church Cathedral for the marvelous feeling of family and support they have experienced over the years. All is a positive influence.

By Gisele McKnight, NB Anglican Editor

During the Lenten season, we are encouraged to reflect. With that in mind, the ACW of Christ Church Cathedral invited their recently retired parish nurse, Isabel Cutler, to present a reflection on her life.

This is a report from that Feb. 17 meeting — Isabel’s life reflection, not only her comings and goings, but the communities she became a part of, and the warmth and love of Christ she found in the people with whom she has crossed paths.

She entitled her presentation, “The challenge is to be me, with God’s grace – an ongoing life adventure.”

“Lent is a time of reflection,” said Isabel. “We reflect on our lives, so I’ve had this opportunity to pause, reflect on God’s presence in my life and his leading me where he wanted me to be.
“The challenge is to be who God wants me to be.”

Isabel is 69, newly retired after 50 years of nursing. Her final assignment, for the past 10 years, has been as the parish nurse at Christ Church Cathedral.

“The last part of my career was definitely the icing on the cake for me,” she said.

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