Obituary of Mary Matilda MacKinnon, Glace Bay

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear mother, Mary MacKinnon, age 86, on December 18, 2023. Born in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of the late Percy and Mag McDonald.

She was survived by Terry, her husband of 66 years; siblings, Percy (Sally), Manning (Maggie), George (Gloria), Mike (Heather), and her sister Debbie (Ralph); her children, Terry (Cheryl), Rick (Nancy), Dennis (Sheila), Cindy, Darrell (Patricia), Dale (Bernadette), Dawn (Troy), Darlene (Gary), Carmel, and Michael (Heather); as well as her 28 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by siblings Sis and Frank as well as her son Scott (in infancy) and son Glenn.

Our mother was an incredibly thoughtful, loving, and kind person. Her life was devoted to caring for her family, always making them her priority with their needs coming before her own. 

She enjoyed reading, watching movies and especially her favorite tv show, Coronation Street.  Our mother was well known for her baking, especially her famous homemade bread. She also enjoyed many summers camping in Baddeck with her family. 

She has taught her family many great lessons throughout the years, but made it clear through her actions that life is about the small things and the simple gestures.  In her later years, she made 160 cakes just to give away to family, friends and neighbors. She even took care of every delivery person who arrived at her door, making sure they walked away with a little treat, usually a bar or Rice Krispie square. She was truly one of a kind.

Our mother was a true angel on this earth and the glue that held our family together. Anyone who met or knew her automatically loved her. Her home was always the gathering place. All of us would visit her and never really had to speak. She usually led our conversations with humor and wit. We were so fortunate and blessed to have her as a friend, confidant and most importantly a mother. We all loved and cherished her. She had a heart of gold and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. 

Visitation will be held in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay, on Friday, December 22, 2023, from 5-8 pm.

The funeral mass will be celebrated in Saint Anne’s Church, Glace Bay, on Saturday, December 23, at 10 am followed by a reception then interment in the parish cemetery. Fr. Macleen Anyanwu presiding.

Memorial donations in memory of Mary may be made to a charity of one's choice.

On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca