Obituary of Florence Theresa MacKinnon

Florence Theresa (MacMullin) MacKinnon Beaver Cove We, the children of Florence Theresa (MacMullin) MacKinnon, 93, of Beaver Cove, wish to announce her passing on January 5, 2018 at the Northside Community Guest Home in North Sydney. Born in Beaver Cove on September 29, 1924; the 10th of 12 children born to the late Joseph and the late Flora (MacNeil) MacMullin. In 1948 she married Martin W. MacKinnon of Beaver Cove and raised a family of six. Mom is survived by two sisters, Johanna MacKinnon, Iona and Josephine MacNeil, Halifax; sister-in-law, Betty MacMullin, and by children, Rod (Nancy), Mount Carmel, PE, Blaine (Anita), Beaver Cove, Adrian (Rose), Drayton Valley, AB, Martin (Eileen), Halifax, Fiona Grant (Sheldon), Beaver Cove and Ronnie (Celeste), New Waterford. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Ryan (Melissa) DesRoches, Tyler (Christine) DesRoches, Darren (Bethany) DesRoches, Jesslyn MacKinnon, Erin MacKinnon (Glen Penney), Conor (Tyler Bruce) MacKinnon, Cathleen (Greg Ford), Shannon (Ken) Roberts, Jennifer MacKinnon, Kim (Chad) Oxelin, Jonathan (Natalie) Grant, David (Ashley Bonaparte) Grant, Jacqueline (Chris Hanlon) Grant, Eddie (Corrine) MacLean and Naomi (Joe) Murray. In addition her 17 great grandchildren, Mason DesRoches, Evelyn Des Roches, Emmett Des Roches, Nicholas Penney, Alex Penney, Quinn Bruce, Ellie Bruce, Samantha Roberts, Dakota Roberts, Braydon Grant, Claire Grant, Bryson Grant, Owen Grant, Zach MacLean, Carly MacLean, Haley Murray and Seth Murray. Mom and Dad also welcomed many into their home as part of their upbringing, including, James MacKinnon, Gerard MacKinnon, and John Thang Pham of Vietnam. Mom is predeceased by, her husband, Martin, sisters, Catherine (Tony) Nearie, Margie (Bernie) Collins, Lizzie (John Dan), MacMullin, Mary (Neil) MacNeil, Chrissie (Tony) Whalen, Rita (Chester) Goss, Eileen MacMullin and Stephena (Wendall) Gallant, and brother, Michael. A farm girl, Mom was brought up in Beaver Cove amidst plenty of friends and relations. She attended school in Beaver Cove and for a short time Iona. From her studies in Iona, Mom developed lifelong relationships with Lucille MacKenzie, Cecilia Bonaparte and Celina Fraser. Devotion and hard work was one of Mom’s main assets: devotion to her family, to her grandchildren, to her community, and to her church. She was an avid volunteer, a visitor of the sick, and offering a welcoming hand when needed. She set up her home as a place of welcome; to visitors, for students and at 3 separate times of need as a boarding house for construction crews. She also assisted Dad’s in his own volunteer endeavors with a welcome smile and a cup of tea. She had many long days but could drop everything for a frolic and fiddle music and skilled at using Gaelic cuss words very proficiently! A person’s worth could be determined by whether they contributed more to society than they took away. We feel that Theresa Big Martin leaves us with an excellent balance of that measure. A wake will take place on Wednesday, January 10 in Boisdale, at St. Andrews Church at 12 noon, followed by a Funeral Mass at 2 p.m. with Fr. Everett McDow officiating, followed by a reception at the Boisdale Firehall. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Saint Andrew’s Parish Cemetery or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Glace Bay, NS, 902-849-4199. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.