Obituary of Jean L. MacKinnon

Jean Laurie MacKinnon (nee Martin), age 83, of Clifton Park, New York, peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord on May 26, 2026 - while surrounded by the warmth and light of her loving family.

Family was everything to Jean.  She was the heart and soul of the MacKinnon family; the inimitable originator of the famed “Christmas busy-bags;” and the solo target audience to all of her grandchildren’s many  a capella holiday performances.  To see her face when any of her children or grandchildren were story-telling, singing or just holding court, was to know true love and complete pride and joy.   

She was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia in 1942, to Sam and Isabel Martin. Cape Breton is a place that she still referred to as “home”, even after having lived in the US for over 60 years. Her own love story began in Cape Breton, as she started her career as a nurse, and where she met the love of her life and her forever dance partner, Walter J. MacKinnon. He proposed to her during a movie and hid the ring in her popcorn. And so their life together began. Jean and Walt looked forward to their return drive to Cape Breton most every year.  Some say she did it for the 2-hour LL Bean Outlet shopping, but we all know it was to see her extended family. Oh how Jean loved to shop! 

Together Jean and Walt embarked on their journey to the United States in 1963 with $100.00 to their name. They stayed at a distant relative’s house until they could get their own apartment for $15 a month (which included furniture so long as Walter agreed to fix the furnace).  While their first Christmas consisted solely of an exchange of one box of “Bridge Mix” – the love they shared and the family they created made them rich beyond their wildest dreams. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary and their love serves as beacon for so many of their family and friends.

Jean was a devoted member of St. Edwards the Confessor Church, and cherished her many roles over the years. Her commitment to the Church and her faith was core to who she was and she had no doubt where she was going as she entered into the arms of God.  Always the party hostess, her annual summer lobster party for her friends at the Church was legendary – and was certainly the Clifton Park social event of the season. Classy and impeccable, she made sure there were lobsters, salt potatoes, butter and plenty of shade for everyone.  Jean never missed a detail. 

Jean was elegant and the perfect Deacon’s wife, both in her manner and her dress.  She exuded a quiet class and always knew the right things to say.  And while her presence could be understated, she somehow was also often the life of the party.  It was the highlight of any family gathering when the stereo was turned up, a Scottish reel came on, and everyone formed a circle around Jean and Walt as they danced together as if their dance (and their life) was pre-ordained.  There was no better sight or sound than when one of her kids or grandkids got her laughing and she just could not stop. Her whole body shook with laughter. She gave every family member the gift of such visible joy. Each and every witness to such a moment knew they were watching magic.

Jean was a dedicated nurse and working mom, working at St. Clare’s in Schenectady, Cohoes Memorial Hospital, the Leonard and finally at Conifer Park where she finished her career.

All holidays at her house were made special by Jean.  She had boxes and bags of holiday decorations for every holiday.  She had more bunnies and eggs for Easter, and Christmas angel ornaments, snowmen and Santas in Scottish tartan than most. The holiday did not officially begin until she put out the good Cadbury candy that she had purchased in Nova Scotia in anticipation of the holiday. She spent the entire prior year loading up the busy-bags and somehow there was always one for everyone, including any newly invited guests.  All guests were made to feel welcomed with open arms. 

She had an adventurous soul.  She was always up for a trip to NYC, a cruise with her husband and friends, an outing with her Red Hat sisters, or to just take a drive and see new places. She marveled at the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican during her trip to Italy and cherished her trip to Jerusalem. She was blessed to have participated in a Pontifical Mass with Pope Francis. She had a love of life but was equally happy sitting in her chair watching the Yankees or the Habs or having coffee with her husband in the morning.

Jean is survived by her husband of 63 years, Walter; her four children, Sandra Jean Perdek (John) of Clifton Park, NY, Theresa Ann MacKinnon (Liz Garner) of Newport, RI, Christopher Douglas MacKinnon (Terri) of Bridgeport, West Virginia, and Shawn Michael MacKinnon (Bonnie) of Clifton Park, NY; and her nine adored grandchildren: Zachary Perdek (Steven), Samuel Perdek (Amanda), Jack Perdek, Joseph MacKinnon (Briana), Madison MacKinnon (Jack), Casey MacKinnon (Nana’s “Lou”), Sophie Garner-MacKinnon, Piper Garner-MacKinnon, Kiku MacKinnon; and three loved step-grandchildren: Madison, Cole & Wyatt. She was the sister of Elaine Davies (Richard) of Troy, NY and Sheldon Martin (Phyllis) of Sydney, Nova Scotia. 

While there are too many to list, the family wants to thank the following people for the amazing care they took of Jean: Ellis hospital staff, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Weber, Dr. Ford, Dr. Sinha, Dr. Santilli, and ICU staff Alexus, Bridget, Danielle, Rodell, Michelle, Cassandra and Donna.

Relatives and friends are invited to St. Edward’s Church Chapel, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd., Clifton Park, NY 12065 on Saturday, May 30, 2026 for Calling Hours from 8:30 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. where at 10:00 a.m. The Capital Region Nurses Honor Guard Nightingale Tribute will be offered and to her Mass of Christian Burial which will celebrated in the Church at 10:30 a.m.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted by her family to the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065.

Please offer your Condolences or share a memory with the family on this page, which will be added to the Tribute Wall.