Barbara MacKinnon

Barbara MacKinnon was a woman of great intelligence whose dedication was to her family and to her profession. Her art was in the field of caring for others, which lent itself easily to the role of mother, dietician, and teacher. With her education and her family, Barbara was able to show those around her how to best manage the many aspects of life.

The year 1929 saw the end of the roaring twenties and the beginning of the Great Depression, marked by the stock market crash of that year. It was on March 16 of that year that Barbara was born in Sparta, Michigan - the middle of three children. Her parents, Frank L. and Kathleen (Ingram) Bull, had come from Canada to the United States, ready to contribute their efforts in America. Barbara's father was the town "house call" doctor, providing a service to the community that would serve as a lesson to Barbara about the importance of using one's skill for the greater good. Barbara learned how to drive by driving her father all over the country side making house calls to those in need. Fond memories of childhood and family were important to Barbara, as she was able to recall how her experiences as a young girl shaped her into the woman she became.

After completing her initial studies in school, Barbara attended Ward Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee. Barbara was a dedicated student, and went on to graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics from Cornell University. When she came back to Michigan, Barbara worked as a dietician at the University of Michigan Hospital. This was a rewarding job experience for Barbara, especially considering the University of Michigan's outstanding reputation in the professional realm of health care.

While working at the hospital, Barbara's father bought a piece of vacation property on Pickerel Lake, where her parents built a cottage. It was there that a neighborhood boy, Fraser, became smitten with Barbara, spending every possible second he could by her side. Their courtship was spent with Fraser driving to his sister's home in Royal Oak on the weekends to visit Barbara in Ann Arbor. Ever since they met, Fraser and Barbara were endlessly devoted to one another, going to any length to be together. One night, after a dinner in Royal Oak, Fraser asked Barbara to marry him. Replying with a yes, of course, Barbara was ready to spend her life with the man she loved. The couple were married on May 16, 1953 in Sparta, Michigan. They moved to St. Johns, where Fraser worked at his father's dry goods store. Barbara then became a substitute dietician at Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns, and also worked at Ferguson Droste Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Barbara and Fraser spent their days as a happy family, with the birth of their son, Alex in 1955 and their daughter, Elizabeth, in 1958. As a mother, Barbara doted over her children left and right, always participating in her children's activities, cub scouts, school, and community events. She even served on the Briggs Library board for over 27 years, taking a huge part in the education of her son and daughter. Barbara was always home for her kids, until Elizabeth was a Junior in High School and no longer needed Barbara home constantly. She taught her children to face life with a smile and with determination, and to look at people and things with care. One lesson she taught them was to always focus on the person first, leaving behind worries such as material posessions.

Feeling as though she needed to again use her abilities in a work environment, she went back to work as an instructor of Food Service Management with the Ingham Intermediate School District. She taught and helped the students to run a restaurant. She went back to school at Western Michigan University when the district required a teaching certificate to continue. This was the type of dedication Barbara was known for - never giving up on anything because of difficulty.

After 15 years with the Ingham Intermediate School District, she retired to spend more time traveling and time at their cottage at Pickerel Lake. She and Fraser traveled to both Scotland and Australia, along with many other far off places. She always wanted to see new places, which kept Barbara and Fraser always moving - always looking for their next adventure. Barbara constantly had a positive outlook about people and things, which made it easy to see that she cared deeply about people and for those around her.

Barbara had a wonderful memory, and was always up on things going on around her. She was known for talking first and worrying about time later. It was in the presence of other people that she found her energy and excitement, especially her family and friends. Always the last one to leave a gathering or party, Barbara could go on for hours just socializing with the people she loved. In her later years, it was her grandchildren who lifted her up, being her center and focus. She went to all their activities, and was just as dedicated a grandmother as she was a mother. She was a member of the Clinton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for over 47 years and was able to exercise her love of gardening as a member of the Mint City Garden Club.

Life made Barbara smile, in spite of many medical challenges over the years. Sadly, Barbara Ingram Bull MacKinnon passed away June 4, 2009, at the age of 80. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, her love of her family, and her dedication to others. She will be so deeply missed.

Barbara is survived by her husband Fraser, her children, Alexander Fraser (Jane) MacKinnon and Elizabeth (James) MacKinnon Eaton, her grandchildren, Margaret Ingram Wright, Andrew Fraser MacKinnon and Duncan Fraser Wright, her brother Dr. R. John Bull and many loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 8, 2009 at 1 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church of St. Johns at 200 E. State St. with Pastor Lori Sykes officiating. Burial will follow the services at the Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3-6 P.M. Sunday, June 7 at the Osgood Funeral Home 104 E. Cass St. in St. Johns. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of St. Johns or a charity of the donor’s choice. To view a film tribute of Barbara’s life, share a memory or upload photos please go to lifestorynet.com. The family wishes to thank all the caring staff of Sparrow Hospice and Grace Haven Assisted Living and especially her hospice nurse, Susan Smith, R.N.