Obituary
Our precious Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother �GG�, our fascinating lady, our Lady Sure I Would, M. Maureen McKinnon of Edmonton, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on September 16, 2020.
Two of us were able to be there physically, in spite of Covid and others from Australia and North Carolina via technology.
Mom had been planning on making her 100th, but she was called home at 99.5 years to her heavenly beloveds.
Maureen leaves us with the special memories of her spirit and endless wit. Her laugh was legendary.
She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Randolph (Rannie); her grandson, Donnie and her granddaughter, Cathrine Honour (Cat).
She leaves three daughters to remember her, Kathy MacLean (Jim), Marion Bankes and Corrine Pearce (Kym); grandchildren, Kerri Alexander (Brad), Alexander Pearce (Emily), Calvin Pearce (Beatrix), and Myles Pearce, as well as great-grandchildren Addison Alexander, Grayson Alexander and Elsie Cathrine Pearce.
Born in 1921 in Bashaw, Alberta, Maureen was the only child of Edna and James A. Marshall, MP of Bashaw. In 1943, she married Randolph Hugh McKinnon. It was a loving and caring marriage of 63 years.
As an only child, she embraced her new husband�s large family with love, humour and gratitude. She adored her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. As the wife of the oldest surviving son, and with her exceptional people skills, she was clearly accepted as the matriarch of the McKinnon family. As nieces and nephews came along, she drew them in with love and affection and a no-nonsense style of caring.
As the years passed, she created a family of her own and had three daughters, Kathleen, Marion, and Corrine. Maureen was a brilliant role model for her daughters. She was a beloved teacher and all three daughters followed her into that profession. She was the soprano soloist in her Camrose Lutheran College choir. Her beautiful voice and skill as a pianist often brought tears to her husband�s eyes. She cared for her parents, aunts and uncles, close family and friends with love and generosity. Friends were extremely important to her. Whether they be friends of her parents, friends of her children or friends of her own.
As she travelled through life, she gathered friends, never letting any of them go. She was an enthusiastic letter writer, corresponding with family, friends from childhood, Camrose Lutheran College friends and friends of her children well into her 90�s in her exquisite handwriting known to all who knew her.
Christmas was always a busy time for her. Her Christmas card list was legendary, and she wrote long personal letters to many. She made lovely Christmas baskets for a long list of elderly aunts, uncles, friends and neighbours. There was her home baking, perhaps a bottle of wine and always her handcrafted apple marshmallow Santas, and candy cane sleighs. She always had an idea for other crafty Christmas projects that she enjoyed making with her girls.
She also routinely sent care packages to her grandchildren, with her special ideas for the time of year and the likes and needs of each one personally considered. It was always thrilling for children to get her packages in the mail.
Maureen loved to celebrate her Irish heritage, as her father was born in Northern Ireland. She enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick�s Day every year with her best friend, Ellie Hodgson who was also from Northern Ireland. She loved finding shamrocks in real life and pressed her finds into her childhood books. Shamrocks, leprechauns, Irish music and the colour green made her Irish eyes smile.
Our deep gratitude to Dr. Parrish, who cared for her so gently and expertly and to the loving staff at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home (Southgate). We so appreciate the love, care and attention you gave to our mother during her five years with you.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a funeral is not planned at this time. When travel restrictions ease, we hope we can have a memorial to celebrate our Mom�s extraordinary life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maureen�s memory to a charity of your choice.
