VIOLET MAY

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VIOLET MAY MacKINNON (nee CARTER) 1918 - 2001 Peacefully in her sleep on September 16, 2001, at Oakview Extendicare Nursing Home, Violet MacKinnon passed away. Vi was the daughter of the late Walter and Harriet Carter, and beloved wife of the late Arch MacKinnon. She was predeceased by her brother Walter Carter and her sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and James Donnett. Vi leaves to cherish her memory her four children, Carol (Bill) MacDonnell, Bob (Jody) MacKinnon, David (Viki) MacKinnon, and Paul (Cathy) MacKinnon. As well, there are six grandchildren with fond memories: Christopher and Kevin MacKinnon, Elizabeth MacDonnell, Jonathan MacKinnon, and Laura and Allison MacKinnon. Vi was born at the end of one war and came of age at the beginning of another. She grew up in a "little house on the prairie" in Winnipeg and saw the Winnipeg Strike and the Depression. These things gave her the resourcefulness with which she approached life and solved often daunting problems. Growing up in the church, and with a lifelong connection to it, gave Vi the spiritual strength to meet lifes challenges. The Second World War brought a young New Zealand airman to Winnipeg and through Vis friend and his cousin Jessie McIntosh, Vi met Arch and married him in 1943. They celebrated their 30th anniversary shortly before Arch died in 1973. In 1945, Vi and toddler Carol sailed to New Zealand in a leaky old tub full of war brides, babies, and the bodies of New Zealand servicemen! This big adventure lasted three years, and Vi made lasting friends in New Zealand. In 1948 the family, now with Bob as well, returned to Winnipeg, and in 1949 moved to the house on Moorgate Street. David and Paul were born from that house and all four children grew up there. Church life for Vi and Arch included singing in the choir and Couples Club; Vi also enjoyed the regular gatherings of the "Hens Club"-a group of friends who had graduated from Isaac Newton High School together. While home to Vi was always Winnipeg, travel was also a part of her life, including three trips back to New Zealand, a visit to sister Joyce in Germany, and regular trips to Calgary to visit old friends and family. In October 2000, after fifty-one years, Vi moved from Moorgate Street, first to Metro Kiwanis seniors apartments and then in June 2001, to Oakview. Her fondest wish, expressed during these last few months, was "to go home", and she has. A memorial service and celebration of Vis life will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, on Saturday, September 22 at 12:30 p.m. If friends so desire, donations in Vis name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301 - 352 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2H8 or to the Alzheimer Society, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4G2. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 19, 2001