Gillian MacKenzie Boyd

Gillian leaves behind family and friends who loved her fiercely and will miss her beyond measure. She is survived by her parents, Derrick and Tamara; her sister, Katie (Justin); grandparents Freeman and Louise MacKenzie; uncles Kevin (Pam) and Colin MacKenzie, and Brendon (Ann), Mark, and Ryan (Leigh Ann) Boyd; cousins Maya and Julia Mackenzie, and Josie and Kaylee Boyd. Gillian was predeceased by “Grandma” and “Papa,” Lawrence and Thecla Boyd.

From the very beginning, Gillian was a gentle and empathetic soul. She had the kind of sweetness that seemed present from birth. She felt things deeply and her kindness was something you could feel – in her posture, in her gestures, and in the way she stood beside someone who needed support. She was deeply appreciative, grateful for even the smallest acts of love, and generous with her own.

Gillian grew up in Porters Lake on the Eastern Shore, a place she loved deeply and called home for most of her life. The woods, lakes, and ocean shaped her spirit. Nature was her refuge, especially the ocean. Prince Edward Island also held a particularly special place in her heart. She spent treasured summers there with her parents, sister, grandparents, and a large extended family. Some of her happiest memories were made on the Island: boat rides, clam digging, bonfires, and playing on the sandbars at “Nanny’s Beach.” The water brought her peace, and throughout her life she sought solace in hikes and in journalling, where she found comfort in putting her thoughts into words.

Family was the centre of Gillian’s world. She loved her parents, Tamara and Derrick; her sister, Katie; her grandparents; and her extended family with her whole heart. Tamara and Derrick cherished their time with their girls, travelling together, going to movies and concerts, encouraging their interests, and always making sure Gillian knew she was deeply loved. Even as an adult, she never outgrew her love for snuggles with her mama.

Gillian was incredibly fond of her grandparents: Grandma and Papa (Thecla and Lawrence), before their passing, and Nanny and Grampy (Louise and Freeman). She felt profoundly loved and cherished by them, and that love shaped the woman she became.

She shared an incredibly close bond with her sister, Katie. Close in age but beautifully different in personality, they balanced one another perfectly. They were inseparable growing up, getting into countless adventures together. On Christmas Eve, they would snuggle into the same bed, determined to stay awake all night in anticipation. As teenagers, Gillian proudly drove them to school in her beloved Chevy Malibu, a car she adored. Those drives, and the many adventures they found themselves in around Porters Lake, became part of the fabric of their sisterhood. Gillian always made space for Katie, celebrating her accomplishments and quietly reminding her she had her biggest supporter by her side. Gillian was extremely proud of her sister Katie.

True to their adventurous spirits, Gillian and Katie once snuck out to get matching tattoos (choosing to ask forgiveness rather than permission). The tattoos included each other’s birthdays, a permanent tribute to their bond. Later, alongside their mom, the three chose another tattoo together: a mama bear with her two cubs, a lasting symbol of the fierce love that defined their family.

She was deeply sentimental – someone who saved small treasures others might discard, recognizing the meaning they carried. She loved music and attending concerts, many with her dad. Derrick treasured those events – the one-on-one time with his daughter, singing along, laughing, and building memories that meant the world to him.

Gillian was a natural caregiver – a true mother hen in the most beautiful sense. She gravitated toward children and found joy in caring for others. While many people grow out of that open-hearted tenderness, Gillian only grew more empathetic with age. She gave freely of herself, often putting others’ feelings ahead of her own. Her kindness extended just as naturally to animals and she especially cherished her beloved cat, Drew, who brought her comfort and companionship and held a special place in her heart.

Her friends describe her as steady, generous with her time, and loyal. With them, she celebrated life’s joyful moments wholeheartedly and stood faithfully beside those she loved through the hardest ones.

Growing up, Gillian looked forward to their annual vacation at Falls Lake with her family and honorary aunties (Krista, Darcie, and Nicole) along with their husbands and children. Those trips were filled with laughter and tradition. Derrick delighted in taking Gillian, Katie, and the other kids out tubing, determined to toss them into the water amid screams of laughter and delight. These were the kinds of moments Gillian treasured most: surrounded by family, sun on the water, and joy echoing across the lake.

Gillian loved with her whole heart. That love – fierce, tender, and enduring – is her legacy.

Gillian’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Trauma Team who worked tirelessly to care for her, and to the 5.2 ICU staff who surrounded her with compassion and dignity. Special thanks to Dr. Laura Wade and Sarah, RN, whose skill and kindness meant more than words can express.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, February 20, from 4:00–6:00 pm (speeches at 4:30) at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood in Gillian’s honour.