Obituary of Barbara Jean Mackin

Barbara Jean Mackin (86) of Riverview, New Brunswick passed away at The Moncton Hospital, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 with her loving family by her side. Born in Saint John, NB Barbara was the daughter of the late Joseph Arthur and Verna Viola Wall. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Ruth McNamara. Barbara is survived by her husband, Philip Mackin of Riverview, NB; daughter, Catherine Mackin of Moncton, NB; sons Philip Kevin Mackin (Rose Beaudoin) of Edmonton, AB; and Joseph Arthur Mackin (Cheryl) of Sault Ste Marie, ON; sister Joan Wall of Saint John, NB; and grandchildren Caitlin Porter (Jeffrey Barrell) of Ammon, NB; Evan Porter of Kelowna, BC; Jonathan Mackin and Kelsey Mackin of Sault Ste Marie, ON. Barbara was a caring wife, mother, and grandmother who nurtured all the people and living things she surrounded herself with. She loved animals, especially Raven, her beloved black Labrador Retriever; Sally and Bill, a bonded pair of geese; her cat Tinker; numerous chickens, cows, pigs, ducks, and others. She imagined, developed, and cared for extensive gardens where she grew vegetables for the whole family and great collections of showy peonies, irises, roses, lillies, and shrubs as well as a small orchard. A lover of the natural world ahead of her time, she nurtured native plants for pollinators and to share with her grandchildren. Her sense of wonder and curiosity and her love for nature also shone through in her prolific oil paintings of wildlife and of Canadian landscapes. Barbara was employed by the Department of National Defense and was involved with the Employee Assistance Program. With her husband Phil, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, she travelled and lived across Canada from coast to coast to coast. She also was a world traveller, who stood at the edge of Virginia Falls in Nahanni National Park Reserve, avoided bears, counted bison, swam with tropical fish, broke open fresh coconuts, and looked up at volcanoes. She was an incredible cook, learning many recipes from friends throughout her travels. She baked an amazing wild game tourtière, and the world’s best breads, parker house rolls, and Texas sticky buns. Always a Maritimer at heart, she was a champion of Hodge Podge and seafood chowder. A classical musician in her youth, Barbara was always singing. Her creativity was also expressed on her pine quilting frame, where she hand-stitched many unique quilts for family. She had a great sense of humor and pulled off the odd practical joke. Active in the Catholic church, she frequently volunteered as a reader and assisted in Sunday School teachings. Barbara once said that she believed the impact of one act of kindness would spread like ripples in a pond to ultimately benefit many people. Already greatly missed, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness and creativity. Her life made the world a better place. Donations in Barbara's memory made to Diabetes Canada or CARMA Cat Rescue Maritimes would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Tuttle Brothers & Riverview Funeral Home 214 Pine Glen Rd. Riverview, NB (506) 857-9544. Online condolences can be made at www.tuttlefuneralhome.ca