Mary Uldene MacKinnon Forbes

February 12, 1942 – May 31, 2022

Denee passed away peacefully on May 31, 2022, at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre with family at her side.

Denee was born in February 1942 in Pictou, Nova Scotia the only child of Jack and Dorothy MacKinnon (née Fraser).

She is remembered by her children, daughter Robyn Forbes and sons Peter (Kim) and Andrew (Christie). She is also fondly remembered by her grandchildren Teagan, Katie, Liam, Early, Kiefer, Adelaide, Cormac, Theo, and Leo plus great grandchildren Dante, Olivia, and Matilda.

Denee was a small-town girl who spent most of her life conquering cities. In August 1965 she met Gordon, a young Naval officer in Halifax, and they fell quickly in love. They were engaged a month later and married in April 1966 in Victoria, British Columbia. They moved often as Gordon’s naval career unfolded: Halifax; Newport, Rhode Island; Charleston, South Carolina; Ottawa; Halifax again; and finally, Ottawa. Gordon retired from the Navy in 1988 and they remained in Ottawa for a total of 37 years, the longest by far of anyplace either of them had lived. They moved to Peterborough, Ontario in November 2021 to be closer to family.

Denee turned out to be a perfect navy wife and mother. She could enjoy company with Ordinary Seamen or Admirals with ease. She was the mistress of house moves and of taking care of the children, the home, and all that that entails, as well as supporting Gordon through his naval and civilian careers, and throughout she remained known by all for her warmth, kindness, and positivity. Denee was also a working woman turning her capable hands as a secretary, retail salesperson, real estate agent and travel coordinator. Because Gordon travelled often, she had a lot of responsibility on her shoulders which she managed with strength and grace. She used to say that it was better if he was away for a month rather than a week because that allowed her to get into a routine while he was absent. She was an equal partner in all aspects of their marriage and helped Gordon in so many ways throughout their fifty-six years together. As a lifelong redhead, she had the strength and feistiness that go with that trait. In addition to her family, she loved standard poodles, East Coast music, white wine, and laughter. Though dementia began to creep into her life several years ago and finally overtook her spirit, she will be remembered for her fierce spark, and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

As Denee had survived a heart condition (with a pacemaker) and cancer surgery, contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

A virtual celebration of life will be held in June with details to follow. Denee will be interred in Pictou in early August.