Patricia Mary Eva McKinnon

1931-2026

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Eva Patricia “Patty” McKinnon, in her 96th year. Patty was a devoted Catholic educator, a woman of faith, a cherished aunt, and a lifelong friend to many.

Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Patty was the daughter of Robert Alexander McKinnon and Dorina Bernadette Acquin McKinnon.

She attended St. Joseph’s College in North Bay and, in 1949, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, where she was known as Sister Alexis.

Catholic education became one of the great callings of Patty’s life. From 1950 to 1959, she taught elementary school in Garden River, Fort William (now Thunder Bay), Wiikwemikoong, and Sault Ste. Marie. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa in 1959 and later completed her Master of Education. From 1959 to 1967, Patty taught high school students at St. Patrick’s High School in Fort William and Mount St. Joseph in Sault Ste. Marie. From 1967 to 1975, she served as teaching principal of Marymount College in Sudbury, where she also taught Religious Education. In 1976, Patty left the Sisters of St. Joseph, but the friendships and bonds she had formed within the community remained important to her throughout her life. She continued her career in Catholic education in Toronto, serving as Assistant to the Director of the Institute for Catholic Education, where she co-ordinated the development of the first Provincial Guidelines in Religious Education for Grades 9 through 12.

Following her retirement from the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Patty continued to give generously of her time and talents. She taught English as a second language through the LINC program and later served for many years as editor of Missions Today magazine for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. In her later years, she continued her ministry as a Eucharistic Minister at Providence Healthcare.

Patty’s life was one of service, education, and faith. Whether in the classroom, through her work in Catholic education, or simply through her relationships with family and friends, she had a lasting influence on generations of people.

Patty was predeceased by her parents, Robert Alexander McKinnon and Dorina Bernadette Acquin McKinnon; her brothers, Reverend Robert McKinnon, C.S.B., and Dr. Alexander “Alec” McKinnon (Betty); and her sisters, Rosemary McKinnon (Vincent Lecour, Stewart Graham) and Sister Barbara McKinnon, C.S.J. She is survived by her brother, Kirkwood McKinnon (Barbara), and her sister, Margaret “Peggy” McKinnon. She will also be lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews, as well as her extended family, former colleagues, students, and many dear friends.

Patty lived a long and remarkable life guided by faith, learning, generosity, and service to others. Her legacy lives on in the countless students she taught, the educators she worked alongside, the family she loved, and the many friendships she nurtured throughout her life.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

“May she rest in the peaceful embrace of the Lord she loved so dearly.”

Memorial Mass on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM in Annunciation Church; 3 Combermere Dr, North York, ON M3A 2W4.