IRENE JEANETTE MacKINNON (nee WRIGHT)

November 15, 2022

Irene Jeanette MacKinnon (nee Wright) of Kincardine, died peacefully surrounded by family, Tuesday Nov. 15, 2022, at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound. She was in her 87th year. Beloved wife of Neil MacKinnon. Loving mother of Linda Johnston (John) of Exeter, Douglas MacKinnon (Jocelyn Lesigues) of Toronto and Debra Gaudet of Tiverton. Cherished grandmother of Ashley Verriez (Brent), Ryan Johnston (Vanessa Kustec) and Stuart Gaudet. Adored by her great-granddaughters, Paige, Brynne and Savannah. Survived by her sister, Rosaline Beattie, and brother, Bill (Sheila), all of Scotland; and sister, Christine McNish (Allan) of Texas. Predeceased by her brother, George Wright; son-in-law, Michael Gaudet; granddaughter, Coral Rose Gaudet; Neil’s parents, Lila and Chambers MacKinnon; and her parents, George and Agnes Wright. Born in Dumfries, Scotland, Irene worked as a teenager in a theatre, helping her family financially. Unbeknownst to her, her mother entered her photo in the Miss Dumfries contest, which she won. She was offered a modelling contract which she had to turn down because she had previously booked her passage to Canada with her brother, George. While working at a bank in Hamilton, on a blind date, she met Neil, the man she would marry. After the birth of their first child in the city, they moved to the family farm. She adapted to country life, learning many things, including cooking large meals for the help at haying and harvest and learning to drive. While raising three children, she still found time to be part of the agricultural society, be active at her church where her Christmas cake was requested yearly to sell at the church’s Christmas Cookie Walk. She also attended the local high school and obtained her GED. She was very talented at cooking, baking and gardening and enjoyed bowling and shopping. In her later years, she enjoyed the odd trip to the casino. She was cherished by her family for her kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, optimism and sense of humour. She will forever be fondly remembered for home-baked treats, always on hand when visiting and always supplied even when she was told she didn’t need to bring anything. Recently, celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary was something she considered an accomplishment to be proud of and very much enjoyed the ensuing celebration. A family visit at her house always ended with her standing at the doorway or by a window with a big wave and a smile. She will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held at the Knox Presbyterian Church, Tiverton, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, from 10-11 a.m., where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. For the comfort of all those attending, please consider wearing a mask. Final resting place, Tiverton Cemetery. Memorial donations to Knox Presbyterian Church, Tiverton, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Portrait and memorial on-line at www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com.