Annie "Josephine" MacKinnon slipped peacefully from this world January 20, 2020, while residing in the Inverary Manor, Inverness, her home for the past six years. She was born in Deepdale, on August 16, 1917 to Neil P. MacLellan and Margaret (Gillis). She trained as a teacher at the Nova Scotia Teacher's College. She taught school in mostly rural areas of Nova Scotia for 35 years. She always enjoyed her profession. A strict but fair teacher, she tried to make sure all children left her classroom knowing the basics. In 1955 she married John Dan MacKinnon, also of Deepdale, and they moved into the family home with her parents. She had one daughter, Eileen MacKinnon (Brendan DeTracey) who lives in Halifax. Josephine was predeceased by her parents and husband. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Sarah MacLellan, Catherine McCormack and Lillian MacLeod; her brothers, Alex and John MacLellan. Her brother, Donald MacLellan (Helen) lives in Ottawa and her sister, Anne Gunning (Peter) in Scarborough.
Josephine was very happy in Deepdale and would often comment how much she loved looking out the kitchen window, admiring her view of Gory's Mountain. She loved meeting new people and catching up with old friends to get the "news". She also took great pleasure in her garden and talking about her other roots, her ancestors. In her day, she was very good at reciting the winding river of connections that tied people to one another.
Josephine also loved to bake, and when her nieces and nephews visited during the summer she would try to have their favourite cookies or pies waiting for them.
I would like to thank the staff in the Inverary Manor for their dedicated and compassionate care over the years.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held in Stella Maris Church, Inverness, Saturday August 1 from 10-10:45 a.m. with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery.
Donations in Annie Josephine's memory may be made to Inverary Manor, Inverness.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
