Obituary of Eileen Clara MacKinnon

BAILEY'S BROOK - It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Eileen Clara MacKinnon, 80, peacefully at home on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Born in New Glasgow, she was a daughter of the late Colin Francis and Janet "Jennie" (MacDonald) MacKinnon. She began school in Bailey's Brook, she graduated from East Pictou High School, the Victoria General School of Radiography and St. FX University. She was always a good student, loved learning new things, it was an adventure for her. Her first job as an X-ray technician was in London, England, where she worked for two years and travelled throughout Europe. She also worked in Toronto, Edmonton, and, in later years, at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, and St. Martha's Hospital, Antigonish, and did relief work in Baddeck and Cheticamp. In the year 2000 she did locums in lnuvik, NWT, for a period of five years, an experience she always cherished. Eileen served as a Councillor for the Municipality of Pictou County for a period of 15 years, a term as Deputy Warden, Board Member for Riverview Home Cooperation and Riverview Volunteer Association, the Lismore District Community Centre and District One Development Association. She was a member of St. Mary's Church, Lismore where she served as choir director for a period of time. She was always active in politics and in 2023 was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Eileen was a member of Friends of Culloden and worked to organize the annual celebration at the cairn at Knoydart. Eileen loved to travel, hiking, snowshoeing, an avid walker, and swimming at her favorite place, Lismore beach. When her older sister Theresa left home, her father needed a new piano player to accompany him on the fiddle and he taught Eileen to read music and play the piano. Music was a great part of her life, and as piano accompanist she played with many fiddlers. She was a founding member of the Pictou County Old Time Fiddlers, the Arisaig Fiddlers, and played the clarinet with the Pictou County Brass and Reed. Eileen had many friends, she had a great sense of humor, she was compassionate and helped many people in need.

 Surviving are her sisters, Cecilia Cogan, Halifax, Theresa Byrne, Antigonish, and her brother, Father Colin F. MacKinnon, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Lismore.

She was predeceased by her sister, Sara MacKinnon, brothers-in-law, Alan Cogan, Bill Byrne and Matt Marshall.

The family will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 9 in St. Mary's Church, Lismore with Father Colin MacKinnon presiding. Interment will be in Mount St. Mary's Cemetery, Bailey's Brook.

Donations may be made in memory of Eileen to your local food bank, St. Mary's Cemetery Fund, or a charity of your choice.