Mona Marie McKinley

Born in Amherst Point, NS, she was a daughter of the late Aubrey and Alice (Collicutt) Forrest. She grew up on the family farm where she enjoyed all things animals, particularly the horses. In 1951, she moved to Moncton, NB and took her first job with the T. Eaton Company, married and began a family, eventually moving back to Nova Scotia where, years later as a single parent, she began a career outside the home working as a secretary. On December 15, 1973, in Wolfville, NS she married her devoted and loving second husband, Ronald K. McKinley.

Mom worked for many years as a secretary at Acadia and Dalhousie universities and at various law firms, eventually becoming a Justice of the Peace and a Court Reporter at the Supreme Court in Halifax before retiring. In retirement, she expanded her interest in painting and became a gifted hobby artist. Mom always enjoyed shopping and was known for her impeccable taste in fashion. She loved going to the malls and chatting with the sales associates while checking out the latest trends. Mom liked to garden with Ron, and they always readied a bounty of fresh picked vegetables together to freeze over for the winter. She loved decorating the family home for the holidays and making fruitcakes and preparing a bountiful turkey dinner for all at the table to enjoy. Mom and Ron loved to travel and enjoyed many trips together over the years, from England to Florida to Hawaii.

Besides her parents, Mom was predeceased by sister Betty Dernier, brother George Forrest, great-grandson Nathan Bradley, brothers-in-law Donald Dernier and George Craig, step-daughter Karen McKinley, and step-son Randy McKinley. Mom will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by husband Ron McKinley, Bedford; children Michael Bradley (Verna Cain) Truro, Debbie Horwich (Jim) Bedford; sister Dora Craig, Coronation, Alberta; sister-in-law Carol Forrest (Amherst); step-daughter Susan Gay (Mike) Bedford, step-son Danny McKinley (Truro); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Scottish Rite Learning Centre for Children Halifax or the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia or any charity of your choice.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Williams and the nurses and staff at the Windsor Elms Village for the love, care and friendship she received while there.