Barbara MacKinnon

Barbara passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 11, 2012. She will be sadly missed by her children Tim Hodgson (Brigitte Brophy) of Cranbrook, Trevor Hodgson of Kelowna and Tanis Lattanzio (Michael) of Kingston; her 5 grandchildren Anika, Quest, Tylan, Alex and Marco; her siblings Donna Haacke (Terry Newsham) of Powell River, Terry Rothery (Anne) of Westerose and Grahame Rothery (Roxanne), Adrian Rothery (Gloria) and Jennifer Rothery all of Calgary; her sister-in-law Josie Rothery as well as 12 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Nonie and Al Rothery, her brother Ian as well as her sister Doris.

Barbara worked for 33 years with CIBC in various capacities. She felt customer service was of utmost importance and conveyed this to her all her employees. Barbara was an avid gardener who spent many hours in her yard perfecting its beauty with flowers. She was known by many children as “the neighbourhood Mom” and will be missed by all who knew her.

Barbara’s life will be celebrated at SOUTH CALGARY FUNERAL CENTRE, 12700 Macleod Trail South (at Lake Fraser Gate), Calgary on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.

Diabetes and cancer research were important to Barb. Please consider honouring her by making a donation to Canadian Diabetes Association, #204, 2323 – 32 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6Z3 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 2nd Floor, 215 – 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1A2.

*************************************************************************************************

Adapted from Temple Bailey’s

The Journey of a Mother

A young mother set her foot on the path of life and her guide said “The way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

Along the road of life she gave her children strength to face the world. Year after year she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all......unconditional love. And they said, "Mom, we would not have done it without you."

And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And Mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her.

And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still.”