Barbara Dorothy McKenzie

86, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2015 at Dartmouth General Hospital, with the family she loved and cared for at her side. Barbara was born in Woodside, the youngest child of the late John Watson and Mary Margaret (Mombourquette) Hoskin. The loving wife of fellow Woodsider Boyd McKenzie for 58 years, she spent most of her life in their family home on Cuisack Street. Barbara used to joke that she had gone down the hill from her family home on Pleasant Street to marry Boyd, whereas he would joke that he had found her with no shoes on her feet and had ushered her into the lap of luxury. In the springtime of her life, Barbara loved to dance and sang in the church choir. While dreaming of her tall, handsome prince, she was swept off her feet by a man who towered 5’5” and had two left feet. She couldn’t increase his height, though she may have helped increase his weight, but she did manage to teach him how to dance. Barbara and Boyd began their married life in Ontario, where Boyd borrowed $40 and a car to take his new bride to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. Returning to Dartmouth after the birth of their first child, Barb and Boyd set up house for themselves and their eventual five children. The McKenzie home on Cuisack Street was the scene of countless kitchen parties where family and friends enjoyed rowdy card and dart games. Barbara’s focus was always on raising her family and looking after her husband and she will always be missed by those whose lives she touched. She is survived by daughter Anne (Russell); sons Ray (Margaret), Dannie (Cathy), Paul (Michelle) and Mark; grandchildren Kristine, Mark, Leslie, Raymond, Jason, Jennifer, Jeremy, Stephen and Daniel; great-grandchildren Finn, Cohen, Logan, Adrianna, Xander, Tanner, River and Meadow; sisters Kay Comer (Bill) and Marie MacAlinden (Mac); and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Boyd, Great Grandson Connor, siblings George, Ern, Billy, Margaret and Fran. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held in A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St., Dartmouth, on Thursday November 19th from 2-4 and 7-9. A celebration of Barbara’s life will take place in A. L. Mattatall’s chapel on Friday November 20th at 1 PM. Family and friends are welcome to share a memory or speak a word in her honor. The family wishes to thank the nursing staff in the Emergency Department at the Dartmouth General Hospital for their kindness and care during her time there. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Dartmouth General Hospital. Online condolences or memories may be viewed or sent at: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com

Mum, you gave us life, you gave us love – we love you forever.