It is with profound sadness that the family of Valoree May MacKinnon announces her passing and the end of her journey with us on October 26, 2023. We will mourn her with an enormous emptiness left in our lives that shall be forevermore filled with memories of a gentle and kind life well-lived.
Valoree spent her most formative years in North Dryden in the MacKinnon Pioneer Street home. She was surrounded by a big family, with numerous cousins and all the fun that goes along with that. She often reveled in the memories and exploits from all the family visits with her MacKinnon cousins and especially the girl cousins who were like sisters to her. A prouder MacKinnon there never was.
Valoree worked at the Central Hotel restaurant in her adolescence and built a lifelong, cherished friendship with Heather. She maintained a nostalgic love of their French fries and gravy, their liver and onions, and was genuinely tearful when it closed.
She attended Dryden High School and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor’s degree and achieved her teaching degree from Lakehead University. Miss/ Mademoiselle MacKinnon was a teacher her entire adult life and supply taught from the moment of her retirement right up until two months before her death. It was a career that provided her a great sense of fulfillment, and she touched the lives of entire generations of students – first off in Eagle River, then Hillcrest, Oxdrift, Wabigoon, and Open Roads. She was a caring staff member who mentored numerous teachers and was always willing to help a colleague. She remembered every single student. She had a kind word for every single one and if she didn’t have a kind word, you’d never hear it.
She loved the janitors and all school support staff and volunteers because she recognized that they were good people, doing hard and very important jobs. Valoree was a devout union member and staunch believer in collective rights and social justice.
She loved vibrant colours, and broaches, and fancy clothes and velour and flowers and flavoured coffee. She loved tea parties and the endless beauty of nature and knick-knacks and arts and crafts and Nativity Scenes. She loved decorating her doorstep on the various holidays because the kids might get a kick out of it, or it might bring some passerby a moment of joy.
She loved food of all kinds and cooking elaborate, delicious multi-course meals and desserts and picture-perfect pies and cakes and cookies for the people she loved. There was usually enough on each occasion to feed each person three times over despite the fact she refused to eat leftovers. She could always be counted on to contribute to a family meal, or to share her recipes.
She loved old rock and roll, a good cocktail, a gin and tonic or a beer. She loved homemade spiked eggnog on Boxing Day and a dram of Drambuie to commemorate the loss of and love held for those who came before her.
Valoree’s sense of humour was one of her gifts. She delighted in witty, well-pointed jibes, thoughtful sarcasm, and running people over the coals a bit and being ribbed back. Her playful, borderline inappropriate banter made her smile and laugh throughout her life and even in her last days.
Valoree was a dear, dear friend to every four legged being to ever walk the earth, regardless of the number of legs, or eyes, they actually possessed. She fed stray cats religiously for her entire adult life. She gave a home to many dogs who had nowhere else to go. She gave the deer vegetable scraps although she knew she never should, and then was red-faced cursing furious when they continued to clear out her flowers or anything else she planted every year.
Valoree’s legacy is one of genuine empathy and determined consideration of the feelings and needs of others. She was a bleeding heart if ever there were. She was a defender of the downtrodden, the bullied, the unfortunate, the underdog. She had compassion for the poor, the sad and the overlooked. She had generosity for others and would do without if others were in need.
Valoree leaves to mourn her beloved brother Martin and his wife Debbie; her dearest nephew Neil (Kim), her adoring niece Melissa (Ian), and their children Lola and Quinn and Eve and Archer. Valoree’s passing will leave a hole in family gatherings as she will also be missed by numerous cousins and other family members, her dear friend Ian McKenzie, as well as her extended Wilkins family. Her special friends, Ora, Jenn, Sheryl, Gail and Betty as well as her many colleagues will remember her fondly and with love.
She was predeceased by her parents Margaret and Duncan MacKinnon. Many aunts, uncles and cousins also passed before her.
The family is forever grateful to the staff at Dryden and Thunder Bay regional hospitals. The professional, compassionate, and considerate care of her nurses, frank, honest assessments and input of her physicians as well as the kitchen staff who truly cared for her well-being with the meals they made for her. They maintained her dignity and their efforts are greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.
The outpouring of support, kind thoughts and outreach of friends and former students and teaching colleagues brought both Valoree and her family tremendous comfort as she approached the end of her journey. The daily visits from her closest friends and family and the laughs and love and tears shared in those moments were so very touching to us all. You are all so loved and cherished.
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Danie & Cathy MacKinnon says
October 30, 2023 at 9:06 pmSorry to hear about my cousin Valoree, may she rest in peace,condolences to her family
Danie MacKinnon
Blues Mills,Nova Scotia
Barb Bernier (Nickel) says
October 30, 2023 at 9:42 pmThank you to Valoree’s family for writing such a beautiful obituary. I only knew Valoree from when I worked in the lab at the hospital and she would come in for her blood work. Even though she was difficult to get a sample from (vein wise) she never once complained when we had to try numerous times. I wish now I would have taken time to get to know her better. I guess that is my loss. You all were fortunate to have her in your lives. My condolences to you all.
Marg Langlais says
October 30, 2023 at 9:46 pmMiss Mackinnon will always have a place in our Oxdrift hearts. A teacher who all the children liked. As a parent, I indeed appreciated her dedication compassion and loyalty to our community and children. She never did have a mean word to say. A truly lovely soul. Our condolences to the family.
Sylvia Roosen says
October 30, 2023 at 10:19 pmVal was a best friend to me through high school and a year living together at U of M. Although are life paths were very divergent, we re-connected through Facebook some years ago and reminisced fondly over our youthful antics, political passions and love of animals and nature. She was smart, caring, sensitive and oh my, what a wit she had. I shall miss her Facebook posts. My best wishes to Martin and family.
Cheryl Victor says
October 31, 2023 at 12:34 pmTo Martin, Debbie, Neil and Melissa: I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a beloved sister/aunt isn’t easy and your family bonds were especially close. The obituary reflects her generous personality and dedication to the important things in her life.
Thinking of you and remembering Valoree with fondness.
Cheryl
Nicole R Gale says
October 31, 2023 at 1:16 pmSaddened to hear of Valoree’s passing. My family are sending our deepest condolences to all of Valoree’s family. May your special memories bring peace and joy.
Joni Alexander says
October 31, 2023 at 2:14 pmSo sad to hear of Val’s passing. We go back a very long way and as everyone knows she was the kindest person. Rest in Peace Val
liann sims says
October 31, 2023 at 5:12 pmMartin, Debbie, Neil, Melissa and families, We are saddened to hear Valoree has passed. She will be missed by you and all who knew her, may your memories help you all through this sad time.
Our sincere condolences, Jim and Liann
Cathy Hutchison says
October 31, 2023 at 6:03 pmOur families are saddened to hear of Miss MacKinnon’s passing we have some great memories of her teaching at Oxdrift school. Our condolences to her family and friends. She will be missed.
Sandra Bourre says
October 31, 2023 at 6:05 pmValoree was a joy to work with and she was truly a champion of all children. The reflection of her life is a vivid reminder of what a remarkable person she was and I know she will be missed by a multitude of people .With condolences to her family ,friends and countless students.Sincerely Sandra Bourre
Kathy Kirkby says
October 31, 2023 at 7:39 pmSo sorry to hear of Val’s passing. I travelled through high school together with Val and just recently meeting up as a casual at Open Roads. Val and I discussed high school at length and reconnected . I am truly sorry that she has passed and she will be missed.
Garth Wintle says
October 31, 2023 at 10:06 pmWho ever wrote her obituary was spot on. I only knew Valoree in passing her house and chatting or through facebook but the moment we corresponded I could tell she was exactly as you say. Wishing peace and strength to all. The world has lost another good one.
Gerry Oliphant says
November 1, 2023 at 3:05 pmTo the MacKinnon Family
I just read of Val’s passing and would like to pass on my sincere condolences to her family, coworkers and friends. Thinking of you during this difficult time,
Sincerely,
Gerry Oliphant
Kayla Jonassen says
November 1, 2023 at 3:11 pmTo the MacKinnon Family
I just read of Val’s passing and would like to pass on my sincere condolences to her family, coworkers and friends. Thinking of you during this difficult time,
Sincerely,
Gerry Oliphant
Helene Youmans says
November 1, 2023 at 5:38 pmMartin and Debbie, as well as all family members,
So sorry for your loss, Helene Youmans
SHIRLEY A EWONCHUK says
November 7, 2023 at 3:04 pmTo the family
May the arms of the Lord embrace you in your great loss.
Our sincere condolences to you all. Bob and Shirley Ewonchuk
Beth Nixon says
November 7, 2023 at 9:22 pmVal was a wonderful teacher. She taught my daughter for two years and was well loved. Her classroom I recall was a hive of activity, full of various art and academic stations, and one long haired Guinea pig that seemed to thrive with the crew of 6 and 7 year olds. Val was a truly lovely person. My condolences to her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to the Second Chance Pet Network online at: http://www.secondchancepetnetwork.ca/donate.html Or to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to support the participation of youth in sport Online at: https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/donate
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