Alounda Mae Mackinnon

Alounda Mae Mackinnon

Ingonish

With great sadness, we, the family of Alounda Mae Mackinnon, age 57, announce her passing on Monday, March 11, 2024, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with her family at her side.

Born in Sydney Mines on November 23, 1966, Alounda was the daughter of Marjorie (MacDonald) Mackinnon and the late Leo Mackinnon.

 Alounda’s heart was both soft and as strong as her determined spirit. Not one to back down from any situation, she walked through life with an open mind and always had time to champion the underdog. From a young age, Alounda had a strong will and unapologetically travelled a path she forged for herself. Her independent nature gave her a unique view of life that often involved lifting the spirits of others.

With her loving husband Dave at her side, Alounda enjoyed her weekend excursions to Halifax to visit their daughter and beautiful grandchildren. Every chance she had, she would brag about how much she loved them. When she spoke about them, her entire being lit up.

One of Alounda’s favourite pastimes was walking the beaches of Ingonish with Dave, looking for sea treasure, which she would turn into her artistic masterpieces. With her furry family, Lucky, Ziggy, and Putters, at her side, Alounda would spend hours creating art that she would gift to those she loved. Alounda battled kidney disease her entire life but never let her illness define who she was. When her illness progressed, Alounda fought back with the same spirited nature she so often displayed while giving to others.

 Alounda is survived by her loving husband, David Buchanan. Also left to mourn are her daughter Jennifer ( RJ ); Stepchildren, Morgan, Devon, Kenny, Erin and Hannah; her beautiful grandchildren, Sophie, Lily, Henry and Beau; her Mom, Marjorie Mackinnon; siblings, Leo, Sydney Mines, Marjorie, Sydney Mines, Alton (Terri), Sydney Mines and Pauline (Gary), Sydney Mines; Nephew, Jacob and Nieces, Jill, Caiden, Aleah, Ella, Trista and Trinity and her Grandnieces, Alora and Lola.

 Besides her dad, Leo, Alounda is predeceased by her beautiful sister, Ella Leona ‘Leah’ Macinnis, her father and mother-in-law, William “Billy Buck” Buchanan and Marcella Buchanan, her Sister-in-law Margaret, and her Brothers-in-law Peter, Paul, and Simon (in infancy).

No words of thanks will ever be enough for Alounda’s living angels, her husband Dave, Sister-in-law Helen, and Sister Marjorie. Throughout her illness, they went above and beyond to do whatever they could to help Alounda find the comfort she needed. Their love for Alounda truly defies words.

Thank you to Murdock Williams in Diagnostic Imaging at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Alounda said he always had a friendly chat and caring hand. She felt she had a childhood friend in her corner.

 A sincere thank you to Dr Ritter, the staff at The Buchanan Memorial Hospital in Neil’s Harbour, both the Northside General, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Dialysis Units and the Palliative Care Unit for their ongoing care and compassion; it will never be forgotten.

Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at J.M. Jobes Funeral Home. A service will follow at 7 p.m., with Deacon David Lewis officiating.