Zena Elizabeth Mackay

Zena Elizabeth Mackay (nee Cavana) passed peacefully from this world on Sunday, January 31st at 97 years of age. She is predeceased by her siblings, Jack, Margaret, Edwin and Jean. She is survived by her 7 children, Sandy, Jeanne, Stewart, Glen, Chris, Cathy, and Ian. She was a devoted grandmother to 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She had boundless love for her family and all of their spouses, step-family, adopted family and friends who became family. She was called Grandma Zena by more people than we can count and for that she felt blessed.

Zena was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1923, of Scottish immigrant parents. She began her teaching career in a one-room school house where she tells us her duties also included getting her own firewood for the schoolroom stove. Her Christian faith was always a huge part of her life and she also studied at deaconess school with the thoughts of becoming a missionary. She met her husband in 1950 and happily left her fledgling career to raise 7 children.

Gordon Presbyterian Church in Burnaby was a very prominent part of her life and brought her so much joy. She had a special friendship with Rev. Cal MacLeod and all her church family and we thank them for their support. We would also like to thank the staff at Harmony Court for all the love they gave her and for going above and beyond in helping the family visit with her in her last days.

In keeping with her Christian beliefs, her gigantic heart of gold and her great sense of humour; in lieu of flowers we would like you to honour her by being kind, being caring and sharing laughter, not criticism. May God bless her.