Mary MacKinnon, 1925-2005

Mary MacKinnon, the long-time secretary of the British Columbia Pipers Association, died in White Rock, BC, on August 6 at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer.

Serving with the BCPA for more than 25 years, she was made an honourary life-member of the BCPA. Just days before she died, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band performed a special concert for her at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on September 10 at Gordon Presbyterian Church, 7457 Edmonds Street, Burnaby, B.C.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Iain Ormsaig and Mary MacKinnon Memorial Award at the Simon Fraser University may be made. The award is an annual $1900 endowment to a student at the University who “plays the bagpipe, either as a solo musician, or as part of the SFU Pipe Band or another pipe band, and has a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.”

On behalf of the piping and drumming world, our condolences go to Mary MacKinnon’s survivors and the hundreds of friends who will miss her greatly.