Obituary of Noreen Beatrice McKinnon

Noreen (Robson) McKinnon was born in December 1926 at Nipawin, SK. She passed away peacefully on July 3rd, 2021. In 1947, she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) McKinnon and on June 11th, 1948, they were united in marriage. To this union they were blessed with four children: Dale, Valerie, Inez, and Allen. With these four children along came many more, making a large family which meant many, many happy times at family gatherings! Before her marriage, Mom worked at the Old Nipawin Hospital cleaning rooms. She travelled from home west of Codette by train to work or stayed at the lady Grey residence. She also helped cook in a cafe in Nipawin. When mom met our dad and married, she became a farmer’s wife. This meant long, hard hours, working side by side with her husband, enduring whatever came their way. They were together 64 happy years. Mom cleaned, did laundry, made all the meals for many men at harvest time, and still had time for picking berries, gardening and later kids. She had many borders over the years staying at their house, getting up early to make breakfast, pack lunches, do laundry and make supper. Over the years, mom and dad would invite the many bachelors in the area over for a Christmas Dinner to enjoy her huge feast. She didn’t want them to be alone which they all seemed to be grateful for. Mom loved to cook and bake; this was her hobby. Whenever you went to her house, she always had fresh baking (cookies, pies, tarts, muffins) and made sure you always took a few home. For years, by herself, she prepared the special meals; Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, with all the trimmings. Later years, when we started doing or helping with these, we were amazed at how much work that was for mom, never realizing until we helped out. Everyone would sit down and feast, loving every bite. Mom loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always having special treats for them. Mom loved a good cup of tea and went through many boxes of Red Rose. She saved the boxes and this is where she would put her special baking treats for all the kids. Dad called mom the best cook and praised her all the time. We all so totally agreed. Her special banana cream pie, pineapple cake, chocolate chip cookies were a hit with all. Everyone waited for grandma’s desserts. Mom supported the many events over the years in the Village of Love. She made many pies for the curling, sports days, festivals and cooked many turkeys for suppers as well as helping in the kitchen for these events. Mom and dad bought numerous tickets, made donations, and sponsored events. They were always willing to help in any way. Mom had a good long life. Her precious time was spent with dad over the years, working hard and taking time to spend with the kids and grandkids. They loved to camp, quad, go on trips and spend countless hours with family and friends. Mom, when very young, started writing to a pen pal named Clara in England. They finally met after 33 years when Clara and her husband Bill came to Canada to visit. It was such a joyous reunion after all those years. They were like sisters. To this day, we are still in contact with their daughter Irene and husband Ken. We are like family, over 83 years. Amazing! COVID was a time we all want to forget. This was a year everyone was isolated and lonely, especially Mom. We would talk to her on the phone, but it was not the same. She took it all in stride, always telling us she was OK. It was during this time of isolation from family and being so lonely that her health started to deteriorate until her passing. Mom was a wonderful, amazing lady. She will be so very much missed. Mom was loved dearly by all her family. Mom’s last words were always the same: “LOVE YOU ALL”. Our last words to mom are: “LOVE YOU MOM!” Noreen leaves to treasure her memory, her children: Dale, Valerie (Bryan), Inez and Allen (Diana); her grandchildren: Delyle (Kim), Darcy (Tara), Melodie (Paul), Tim, Camela (Mark), Ashley (Michelle), Jaret (Gillian), Shantel (Andrew), and Latasha (Noah); her great-grandchildren: Brennan, Jenae, Randi, Danyelle, Ashton, Cameron, Liam, Lauren, Emry, Marek, Presley, London, Nash and Jane; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special friend Shirley. Noreen is predeceased by her loving husband Robert (Bob); her parents, John & Nellie; her in-laws, Allan & Flo; her sister & brother-in-law, Phylis & Angus; her brother Edward; her sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Mureil & Art; her daughter-in-law Pauline; and her son-in-law, Elton.