MacDonald, Mary Jessie (MacKinnon) of Queensville, Inverness County, died April 5th, 2022. Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Educator to all. A lifelong student. Mom loved animals (especially her horses), her family, and her community. She had a green thumb, and loved flowers. If you needed help, she was your first stop. Educated in Mabou, Mary Jess went on to Normal College at age 14, returning home to Queensville at 16 to teach in the one room schoolhouse in which she began her own education. She continued her studies at St FX, earning her BA, BEd, and MEd. She went on to earn specialties in Reading and Special Education. Mary Jess served the children of Inverness County for 37 years as teacher, Supervisor of Special Education, and Assistant Superintendent of schools. After retirement she spent 24 years as the elected School Board Member, Chair of the Strait Regional School Board, and President of the Nova Scotia School Boards Assn. She held the position of Student Teaching Supervisor for the University of Maine. If you lived in Inverness County, your education was in someway impacted by Mrs. MacDonald. Her lifelong passion for learning and education was recognized in 2012 with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. Mary Jess was predeceased by her husband, Edward "Red Eddy"; daughter, Allena; father, Allan Charlie MacKinnon and mother, Christy MacKinnon; brothers, Walter, Murdo, and Seward MacKinnon; sister-in-law, Marie (Perley); nephews, Bradley and Perley Hugh MacKinnon. She is survived by daughters, Chrissi Lynch, Queensville; and Murlana MacDonald (James Wadden), Moncton, NB; son, Dwayne MacDonald (Trudy Dunphy), Stellarton; granddaughters, Erica (Charles Beaton), Queensville; and Jaynie Lynch, Wisbech, UK; Mairi Breagh Wadden (Alicia Bryant), New Brunswick; Megan Richards (Jared Webb), Trenton, NS; Jessica Richards, Stellarton and Sophia Brooks, Sipekne'katik; great-grandchildren, Autumn And Ivar; brother, Perley MacKinnon, Port Hastings; and William MacKinnon, St. Catherine’s, ON; many nieces, nephews, and cousins and her special little girls. Her nephew, James MacKinnon was her very special sidekick and one of her favorite crib partners. MJ loved to sing, and graced churches and stages across Nova Scotia. So, as MJ would say, "Stick a feather in your cap and come visit us", to remember her, in Dennis Haverstock Funeral home, Port Hawkesbury, from 2-8 p.m. Friday, April 8. Funeral will take place in St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, Saturday, April 9 at 11a.m. with Sandi Irving officiating. Burial to follow in St. David's Cemetery, Port Hastings. Charitable donations may be made to the Strait RCE School Breakfast Program, or St. David’s Church, Port Hastings. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Friday, April 8, 2022 Visitation Time 2-8 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Saturday, April 9, 2022 Service Location St. David's United Church, Port Hastings Burial Information Burial Date Saturday, April 9, 2022 Burial Time Following funeral service Burial Location St. David's United Church Cemetery, Port Hastings