Margaret Jennifer McKinney
January 05 1936 - September 23 2023
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Susan Wesenhagen uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, September 28, 2023
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I am so sorry to hear about mum.
Lise -Thank you for all that you did in her last years to make her comfortable – no one could have been better cared for. What you did for her was so kind.
I have so many wonderful memories of mum, so many words of wisdom and thoughtful things that she would do, like clippings newspaper articles that I might find interesting, and recipes, and passing on her magazines to me. She was such a lover of history and art and we always had wonderful conversations. When Cassy was born she became a grandma for the first time, and she threw herself into the role, babysitting, and later taking Cassy to film festivals and art galleries. Jennifer was so stylish and polished whether she was hosting us for dinner or visiting us as a guest, and so active and engaged – anything from country line dancing to attending a gallery talk or hiking a part of the Cabot trail, and her almost yearly visits to England where one of her greatest thrills. So many stories!
Her legacy lives on in her children, and her grandchildren/great grandchild who have a little piece of her inside them.
Love Sue XOXO
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Susan Wesenhagen posted a condolence
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Chris, Cassandra, Karin, Lise and family,
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your mum, and in Cassandra's case Nana. We of course have many memories of Jennifer on our visits to Toronto, Oakville and at her condominium near the Old Mill. Unfortunately we had not seen her since Cassandra and Drew married at U of T. It was a wonderful wedding venue, especially for us because of past memories there. Jennifer really enjoyed herself that day as did we all. Perhaps some of our best memories of her are about her stories from her summer visits to Oxford University where she stayed in student quarters. The stories were often quite funny. She was of course at Oxford for cultural pursuits.
Love Grandma and Grandpa Lee (Doreen and Eric)
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Sherri, Dave, & Family uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, September 28, 2023
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Lise, Steve, & Family,
Sending you all our deepest condolences. Although we never had the pleasure of meeting your Mum, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May beauty live on in your memories of her and bring you peace.
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Cassandra uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
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Nana shaped who I am today, through our dates in Toronto, her stories, her thoughtful gifts and her cozy apartment. She's the reason my city feels like home, and why I like the things I like – I so admired her from an early age.
Nana was easy to talk to, and she always knew where to take us on a day out. She knew me well, mailing me newspaper clippings about the ballet, or sending me home with a vintage book of posters. I have a pile of cards and mementos from her, each attached to my heart with a little string.
Tales of her adventures were not to be missed. She'd capture the feeling, details of light and sound, down to the colour of snow at golden hour. If you were at her home, she might pair one of these stories with a prop: a book, a gallery souvenir, a hat, a sculpture.
Nana, remembering your love feels like a hug. I love you, I miss you so much.
Cass
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Steve Anhorn posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Jennifer was the best mother-in-law anyone could ever have. I will miss our chats when taking her home, or bringing her the paper. Lots of laughs and chats about just about everything one could imagine. Such a sharp mind. My sincerest condolences to my wife Lise, sister-in-law Karin, brother-in-law Chris, and all of Jennifer's family.
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Drew Mellow posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
This is one of only a few times where I have been at a loss for words, but I think I have now found them.
I am so privileged to have gotten to know Jennifer over the last 7 years. Cass and I were even lucky enough to be close and then next-door neighbours to Jennifer for several years. I loved to visit her at her condo on Traymore Cresent, a calm and quiet space filled with dancing sunlight that filtered through the trees outside and the chirping and warbling of the birds who called them home. I understood why she so fiercely maintained her independence there for so long, it was a sanctuary.
She often regaled Cass and I with stories of her adventures or with conversations of art, nature, travel, and Motorsport; interests the three of us shared. She never told the same story twice, always knowing exactly where she had left off and what she had left to tell, even when the conversations were farther apart once she made her move to Belle River and then we made ours to Saskatoon. Such a sharp mind and clever wit is rarely encountered, rarer still to have been maintained into her final days. I looked forward to these visits so much and will miss them the most.
I spent a lot of time trying to pin down who Jennifer was to me over these past few days and it was Cass that finally gave me the answer. She reminded me that we were fast friends and that is exactly it. Jennifer was a true friend of mine and that friendship grew deeper and stronger with every passing year. Her friendship was a gift and I loved her so much for sharing that gift with me.
To Karin, Chris, and Lise, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your mother and your family with me.
Jennifer, I love you and I miss you so much. You will be forever in my memory, enrobed in soft dappled light and bird song.
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William Borland posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
The first time I was invited to Jennifer’s home to meet and speak with her, was for supper in November 1979. She made a pea soup from scratch, with thyme and a killer boned ham I’m pretty sure came from the St. Lawrence Market. The bread was great (I’m a bread guy). It was a very simple but very memorable meal, and I ate very well. 44 years later I’m still married to her eldest daughter, in whom there’s a lot of Jennifer.
I never knew Jennifer to back down from a challenge, or demonstrate disinterest. When she first came to visit us as newlyweds in Winnipeg, I took her and Karin on a surprise date to witness a ceremonial “performance” by chanting Tibetan monks. She was up for that. In the early years of our marriage, Jennifer seemed game for anything, from Blue Bomber football, to blues bars, to taiko drumming, to the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and anything in between. Frankly, you could pretty much take that mother-in-law anywhere. Cool. As the years passed by, she shared a few things with me she said were never shared with others. Those feel a little heavier now; but I’ve got them.
If Jennifer has a legacy, it’s surely her children. My admiration goes out to Chris, and especially Lise for shepherding the way not only through Jennifer’s final days, but literally final few years. It’s very tough for close family, Karin especially, to be so far away and limited to phones and computers. Well done, and thank you so much guys.
To all her grandchildren, and family members much closer to Jennifer than I was, hugs to you all.
Rest easy Chief; best pea soup I ever had.
Bill
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Deb A posted a condolence
Monday, September 25, 2023
Chris, Lise, Cass and family
We didn't know her long but you could tell upon meeting her, Jennifer was a charasmatic force of nature. I so enjoyed the few visits we had, being with her and hearing her stories made me wish I had known her much longer. Thinking of all of you and sending hugs.
Richard and Deb (Adamson) Mellow
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Lise Anhorn (Wesenhagen) posted a symbolic gesture
Monday, September 25, 2023
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Our Mum was an incredible woman and Mum. She worked hard to raise us on her own and to still have fun and adventures along the way. There’s a hole in my heart that will never heal but it will be filled with joy when I remember her, talk and laugh about her and when the family gathers for big breakfast here in Woodslee she will be watching us all, proud of her family and overjoyed we’re all together. I miss you Mum. I love you with with all my heart. xoxo Lise.
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Chris posted a condolence
Monday, September 25, 2023
I'm not sure where to start. My mum was passionate about us kids and later about her grand kids. She worked extremely hard while raising us at the same time. Her love lead to our successes and happiness. She'd do anything to make us happy. I have so many personal memories but for now I'll say I love you mum.
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The family of Margaret Jennifer McKinney uploaded a photo
Monday, September 25, 2023
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