Judith Margaret MacKay

Judith (Judy) Margaret MacKay died surrounded by her loving family, on September 8, 2026. Judy was born September 11, 1938 in Stellarton, NS and raised in New Glasgow. She grew up in a house full of women including her grandmother, sister Sue (Sylvia Canon) and mother Irene Stewart.

In 1956 Judy left to do a four-year medical technology program in Manitoba affiliated with the University of Manitoba. She worked as a lab and x-ray technician in rural Manitoba for a decade. When she returned to NS in 1967 she switched gears and started work for the federal government with Canada Employment (Manpower). Over the years she worked in Amherst, Port Hawkesbury, and Halifax in various positions including Regional Women’s Employment Consultant and several management positions.

While working for the government she met a group of great women in management roles, and they have remained close friends for 50 years. During that time, she had her daughter Carri, who would become her best friend for life. She left the government because she thought they weren’t prioritizing the work she felt needed doing - helping people find work. She “retired” in the 1990s to start her own company, People Plus Consulting Limited, with friend and business partner, Charlotte Hatfield. Over the last 35 years it has grown into an organization that has touched thousands of lives and continues to help people find employment today.

Committed to helping people, Judy volunteered over the decades with various organizations like the Chain of Lakes Trail Association, PTA, Meals on Wheels, the John Howard Society, and The Elizabeth Fry Society. For several years she organized the Garden Tables for the IWK’s annual spring Kermesse fundraiser and with a keen interest in art, she volunteered in Art Sales and Rentals at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. She also cared for her mother when she got sick and served as the family matriarch, always organizing events, hosting fun parties (with her fantastic food), and bringing people together. She was the best host!

Always up for a new adventure, Judy’s favourite activity was travelling the world with friends. Some of her best trips were to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Britain, Jordan, India, and especially Eygalières, France where she returned many times and made lifelong friends.

Judy was so grateful for the wonderful friends she made in her life, including the “market gang”, “ladies who lunch”, and the “Friday Fizz” group.

Judy’s legacy is a community made better by her warmth, determination, brilliant creativity, and generosity. She leaves behind her daughter Carri, son-in law Garrett Barker, and beloved grandchild Mac Barker who has been a very bright light in her life. She also leaves her dear friends and family, including nephews Phil Canon (Colleen), and Rob Canon, great nieces Leila Canon-Ahern (Andrew Ahern), and Mallory Canon (Jon Jocham), great great niece and nephew Alice and Angus Ahern, chosen family Charlotte Hatfield, Megan Vaughan, Matthew Vaughan (Rosalie Tostevin), Glenn Tostevin, and her cat Pinter Paws.

Judy and her family extend their heartfelt thanks to Phil Cantrill and all the staff at People Plus and Job Junction for their dedication in carrying on the work she was so passionate about. They also wanted to thank her medical team who provided care during these last 3 years with leukemia including Dr Marcoux, along with Emilie and Sarah, Dr Lywood, the staff of the Medical Day Unit and Unit 8.2 of the Infirmary.

You are invited to a celebration of life to be held on Sunday, October 4th, from 2 to 4pm at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr in Halifax. The family has requested that you bring a written story about Judy to the celebration in lieu of flowers, or make a donation to the SPCA. In memory of Judy, please take time to gather and laugh with the people you love, be kind and resilient, and work to make the lives of others a little bit better.