Obituary of Ann MacKinnon

We sadly announce the passing of Helena Ann (Ann) MacKinnon (Nee Gormley) March 10, 1939 - May 16,  2026,  of Burton, NB.

Ann was predeceased by her best friend and partner in crime, Bob MacKinnon. She will be sadly missed by her children Bill (Leanne) Kingston, ON; Tricia (Sean) Calgary, AB; Erin (Fernando) Belleville, ON; and Rob (Natasha) of Burton; and her grandchildren Matthew, Charles, Derry and Arlie.

One of five sisters who studied nursing in North Sydney, Mom's confidence and sense of adventure took her from New Glasgow to a career and partner she loved. They led her to live & work in places from Alberta to Manitoba to Germany and New Brunswick as she explored on her own and moved around with dad and kids.

They cackled their way from posting to posting: often remembering highlights of getting an eyeful during "Oh Calcutta" in London, setting up tents in the pouring rain in Spain, and crushing it on the curling rink in Suffield, all the while making lifelong friends along the way.

We kids were amazed by her rattlesnake-like reflexes as she routinely caught Bill in the act of covertly making us laugh, when we were already in trouble for "arsing around" at the dinner table. Though we each swear that we remember the sound of her rattling the utensil drawer and wielding the wooden spoon, there are few confirmed recollections of it actually being employed, except over snowsuits.

We also have very vivid memories of what we now understand to have been a NSFW photo-ambushing campaign waged between them in our PMQ in Ralston with the advent of the polaroid camera.

Her sense of humor was always appreciated, unless it was 4 am and you were Rob and Tasha trying to confirm that she was of sound mind after a bit of a tumble. Nailing each of the standard questions to reassure Rob that she was fine, they most certainly did not enjoy her teasing that her name was Marge Simpson.

Mom taught us to be confident and independent, to be able to take care of ourselves before we could take care of others, and to settle for nothing less than partners who are kind and could be counted on to love us at our worst. She also demonstrated, over and over again that, "this is the last dog we'll ever own", was a complete and utter farce.

Most of all, we knew that we could always come home. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren. Matt, Charlie, Derry and Arlie were each so special to her. From the moment she knew she was going to be a grandmother, she could be counted on to joyfully zig zag the country to deliver endless, soothing "Grammie Smacks" and kisses, and eagerly joined the socials to keep up with their adventures.

Our hearts are broken, but she's finally reunited with Dad, and we know they're enjoying a coffee, or a beer, or some toast & tea.

Profound thanks to the kindness and caring provided by her NP Rachel and the Extra Mural Nurses, the staff at Oromocto Public Hospital, the staff at 4 SE DECH, Dr. Khaleduzzaman, Nurses Bailey, Scott, Marisol, Peyton, Laura and Wayne and Father Jennings. We cannot thank you enough for your professionalism, kindness and empathy, and for being so gentle with our Mom, Ann, and us.

A gathering for family & close friends will be held later this summer at her interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to DECH Palliative Care or  the Canadian Cancer Society.