Beverley (Porter) MacKenzie

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of Beverley MacKenzie, at MICU in the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre, at the age of 77.

Beverley (Bev) was the loving mother of R.J. (Ruth) and Susan (Don) and devoted stepmother of Wendy and Laurie (Abbie). She was adored by her grandchildren Shanleigh (Chris), Quinn (Taylor), Ben (Keltie), Sarah (Gab), Lindsay (Bayn), Cameron, and Alex (Jessica), and great-granddaughter, Adriana. Bev was also step-grandmother to Heidi (Guy) and Shauna and step-great-grandmother to Kevin  and Jake. She was called Grandma Bev by so many children of friends and extended family, the list is too long to mention.   Bev is also survived by her first cousin Laraine, brother-in-law Jack, sisters-in-law Barb and Marion, nephews Dale (Susan), Jeff (Nicki) and Blake (Ericka), and niece Nicole (John). She was predeceased by her parents, John (Jack) and Sarah (Lou) Porter (nee Keats), birth mother Ida, brothers Elgin, Jimmy, and Gordon Porter, and her loving husband Bob MacKenzie.

Beverley Jean Porter was born and raised in Dauphin, Manitoba. After graduating from the DCTI high school she attended Teacher's College in Winnipeg. She started her teaching career in Birch River, Manitoba in a one-room country school but decided it was not her calling. She moved back to Dauphin, where she eventually met Bob; the two married in 1962. They enjoyed 48 years of marriage before Bob passed away in 2010. Bev was an avid curler, a fan, coach, and official and was a Lifetime Member of the Manitoba Curling Association. She worked part-time in several Dauphin businesses but primarily stayed home to raise the family.  Bev and Bob were community minded, volunteering with over 50 organizations and charities and both were presented the Queen's Jubilee Medal for community service, in 2002. Every year they made trips to visit Canadian museums with their friends Jim and Jeanne Fell, of Flin Flon, and also visited family and friends all over Canada. In 2007, the family was devastated to learn she had cancer, which was treated with surgery. Unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2010. That same year, Bob succumbed to complications from Alzheimer's. In 2011, Bev moved to Winnipeg to be close to her medical teams and her family in the city. By her 75th birthday, she was in remission, and she was surprised by her family and friends with a party celebrating both events. She was an active member of Harrow United Church, in Winnipeg. Bev also volunteered at the Canadian Cancer Society Wheels of Hope and was on the board of her condominium. This involvement garnered her a whole new circle of friends, in Winnipeg. Bev was also an amazing baker, making even more friends with her world-famous butter tarts; a MacKenzie family recipe with her own perfect pastry. She loved the Christmas season and spent weeks creating wonderful treats to share. Above all, Bev loved her family and looked forward to getting them all together as often as possible; especially when the younger generations were able to attend. She enjoyed meeting new people and catching up with old friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of HSC/MICU for their professionalism, compassion and kindness. A special thank you to Dr. D. Wirtzfeld who has been a blessing in our lives and was so special to our Mom and Grandma.

A celebration of her life was held on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm from the Dauphin First United Church in Dauphin, MB with Ilene Dowd officiating. A private family interment took place on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 in Riverside Cemetery, Dauphin, MB. Pallbearers were Quinn MacKenzie, Ben MacKenzie, Alex MacKenzie, Cameron Pike, Bayn Solomon, Gabriel Mercier.

A candlelight memorial service will take place on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 7:00 pm from the Harrow United Church, 955 Mulvey Avenue Winnipeg, MB with Teresa Moysey officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society Wheels of Hope, Cancer Care Manitoba, Harrow United Church or Dauphin First United Church.

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