With both sadness and thankfulness for a life well lived, we wish to announce the peaceful passing on March 25, 2026 of our Beloved wife and mother, Doreen MacKinnon.  

Doreen was born on Oct. 1, 1930 and was lovingly raised by her adoptive parents, Hannah and Arthur Charles.

She went on to study nursing at Glace Bay General Hospital and worked for several years at New Waterford Hospital where she was always remembered for her kind and caring manner.

At a young age she met Fraser, the Love of her Life. They married in 1952 and were blessed to share 73 wonderful years. Together they provided a happy, Christian home for their four children. Doreen was a very active member of Calvin United Church. She was a member of the UCW,  choir and was a CGIT leader. For many years she and Fraser volunteered with Palliative Care. Many of their winters were spent enjoying the Florida sunshine. 

Sadly in her later years, she lost her eyesight and Fraser lovingly cared for her following this. 

She was an avid Blue Jays fan and it didn’t matter if the score was 10 to 0 for the Blue Jays she would listen to the game to the last pitch. She followed every game closely, cheering on her favourite players with Fraser as the commentator. She was always interested in the daily weather and loved to hear that it was a sunny day.

Doreen is survived by her devoted husband, Fraser and her children, Judy (Billy) Durdle, David (Carol) MacKinnon, Nancy (Brent) Cooper and Douglas (Rachelle) MacKinnon.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Lisa, Stephen, Deborah, Michael, Matthew, Rebecca, Bennett, Brady, Zachary and Riley; also four great-grandchildren, Emily, Gia, Sophie and Kaias. “Nana Doreen” was a very special part of these children’s lives and leaves each one of them with many wonderful memories.

She is also survived by sister-in-law, Dian (Joe) AuCoin, brother -in-law, Billy (Hughena) Mac Kinnon and many nieces and nephews.

Doreen was predeceased by her birth parents, Bessie (Mugford) and A P Russell; her sister and brothers, Margaret (Gordie) Johnston, Fred (Shirley) Russell and Ross (Muriel) Russell; sister and brothers-in-law Joyce (Peter) Marsh, Dan (Sylvia) MacKinnon and Joseph MacKinnon.

Many thanks to all who were so kind to Mom.

There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and guidance of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. in Calvin United Church, New Waterford, with Rev. Dana Feltmate officiating. A luncheon will follow in the Rev. Duncan Roach Fellowship Room. Memorial donations may be made to charity of your choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. 

“No matter what the weather is…always make your own sunshine”.