MacKinnon, Dolena Marion

Christmas Island, NS

September 26, 1935 - May 04, 2025

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dolena Marion MacKinnon (MacNeil) of Christmas Island; on May 4th 2025 at the Northside General Hospital. She was 89 years old.

Dolena was born in Benacadie, Cape Breton; the youngest daughter of the late Michael S. and Margaret (Farrell) MacNeil. She grew up on the family farm listening to the Gaelic stories and songs of family and friends. She always said she was a proud graduate of Benacadie Collegiate.

Dolena married “Joe ADH” (Angus Joseph) MacKinnon and moved to the booming metropolis of Christmas Island. Running the local switchboard and store from their home, the doors were always open and the tea was always on. The cards were always ready on the table and the beds made for guests.

There was rarely a day she wasn’t on the roads doing errands for St Barra’s Church, Clan MacNeil or the Christmas Island Ladies Auxiliary. Sundays (and some Mondays) were for bingo; Wednesdays were 45s and recently Thursdays became Trivia night at the Frolic and Folk Pub. Friday and Saturday nights became hockey nights, either at home or watching the Eagles play in Sydney. Over the years she also attended quite a few annual general meetings for a certain unnamed political party.

Aside from her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Joe and twin daughters at birth. She was the last of the “Mickey Handys” of Benacadie, and now joins sisters Kaye (Frank Franco), Margaret (Al), Lucy, Theresa and Mary Ann as well as brothers Daniel, Alex (Mary Lizzie), Angus, Leo (Theresa), Hughie Dan and Jimmy (Peggy). She also joins her lifelong best friend and sister in law “Nan” Anna Marie MacKinnon; sister in law Betty (Hector) MacLean; brother in law Josiah MacKinnon and many other close friends and family.

Dolena is survived by her daughter Hughena of Christmas Island and her son Kevin and daughter in law Denise of Washabuck. Grandma was adored by her grandchildren Samantha (Andy), River Bourgeois; Angela (Logan) and Craig (Katie); all of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Gigi’s pride and joys however were her 3 great grandchildren who she beamed with pride around; Lexie, Cavan and Lucy.

Dolena is also survived by her niece and confidant Shelley Redden, of Benacadie, and her family, Jimmy, Mark (Joanie), Alicia (Jason), Breagha (Jamie) and their families. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and close friends.

There are so many people Dolena treasured in life for all they did for her. Special thanks to Roddie D MacNeil; nephew James MacNeil; Elizabeth MacNeil; Mary Lucina and Elizabeth MacNeil; Emily White; Bernie MacMillan; Ann MacKenzie, Jane Wukitsch and Jean Duncan MacNeil for all of their help the last few years.

Special thanks go out to her great niece Jennifer MacNeil; Goddaughter Kim MacIver; Joanne Stacey and DA and Theresa MacKenzie and all we didn’t know about; for their visits in hospital these past few weeks.

There are no words to express our thanks to Bernadette Whyte and the Cape Breton homemakers team as well as to Dr. Wawer and the wonderful and caring team on the 4th floor West of the Northside General Hospital.

Visitation for Dolena will take place at St Andrew’s Church in Boisdale on Sunday, May 11 from 3 until 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held in St. Andrew's Church Boisdale on Monday, May 12 at 11am. Interment to follow in St. Barra's Cemetery, Christmas Island.