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DALE ANNE MACKENZIE
Date of Passing: Dec 21, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDALE ANNE MACKENZIE
Dale Anne MacKenzie believed she should live her life to the fullest, and when she could no longer live a full active life, she wanted to die in her sleep in her own bed. This is what happened to her on December 21, 2024 at the age of 78.
Living her life to the fullest meant being a social work clinician, a senior government administrator, a fierce environmental advocate, a gourmet cook, an accomplished artist with many shows and sales, and a classical pianist. She was a strong athlete who was an advanced yoga practitioner, paddled a swift canoe, a trophy winning boardsailor, and she went like the wind when she cross-country skied. She looked back with some pride of the times in her 20s when she was one of the only women in Northwest Ontario who was qualified to drive a large tandem-axel dump truck for an asphalt company.
When completing an MSW at the University of Manitoba, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Portage Shelter for abused women and their children in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. She was Executive Director of the Manitoba Government's Employee Assistance Program, a counselling and resource program for 11,000 employees. In this capacity she worked with every Department across government from Deputy Ministers to front line employees.
She was raised at her parents' fishing lodge on Eagle Lake in Northwest Ontario. Dale always had a love of wilderness and wildlife. She spent 16 years fighting to protect Farabout Peninsula on Eagle Lake that was to be clear-cut by loggers. Dale was a natural leader who pulled together a local, dedicated Coalition that included residents, businesses, naturalists, and Migisi First Nation. For that effort she was awarded an Ontario Nature Achievement Award in 2019. She led the way in securing a Suzuki Foundation award and the formal recognition of Farabout Peninsula as a Healing Forest under the aegis of Migisi Shawinigan. Dale was seen as a model, mentor and inspiration by many women in the environmental movement.
Dale and her "one and only" love, Barry Trute were together for 44 years. They travelled in Europe, South America, North Africa, and South-East Asia together. They spent long periods in New Zealand where Barry worked and Dale enjoyed the great treks of Aotearoa. They built two lake-front cabins together and escaped to them over 27 summers.
She was a kind, generous, positive, and loving person. And many, many people loved her right back.
Dale is survived by her husband Barry Trute of Nelson, BC, her brother Graham MacKenzie (Lynda Anderson) of Dryden, ON and her sister Robin Moore of Ignace, ON.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 18, 2025
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Dale was a beautiful woman inside and out. I met Dale through my friendship with her brother Graham and his wife Lynda. Serendipity introduced me to Dale’s cousin in Winnipeg Jane Parkinson. I feel blessed to have known Dale albeit from a distance. She has left a footprint on the world. - Posted by: Lorraine Ogilvie (Acquaintance/Friend) on: Jan 31, 2025
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Sending deepest condolences to Barry and Dale’s family. I was an MSW student of Barry’s and Dale hired me to work at EAP something I am eternally grateful to her for as it was the best job in my career as a social worker Dale was a great mentor and always strived to have us offer the best possible counseling services to our clients … she always motivated us to give our best and learn new skills… I also have fond memories of her inviting us to the cabin at Eagle lake for a work retreat that included a wonderful turkey fry. Barry please take good care of yourself as you grieve the loss of your beloved Dale. - Posted by: Barb GAJDEK Ebbeling (Worked with Dale at EAP) on: Jan 22, 2025
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Condolences Barry, Graham, Robin and families. I have many fond memories of Dale including watching her on the equipment as the pipeline road, at Raleigh, was paved many years ago. I believe it was that moment that she became my idol. May your memories help you through this difficult time. She was a wonderful lady and will be remembered fondly. Thinking of you all. - Posted by: Lisa Bruvall Smith (Family Friend) on: Jan 20, 2025
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Dale was an amazing woman & friend. I so well remember our teenage antics when Dale would talk me into sitting in a fishing boat @ the camp during a storm, spending our last day of grade 12 high school on Johnson’s beach, Thunder Lake, swinging on an old tire & plotting our futures. She accomplished so much in her life but always remained a friend, never wavering from her roots. She will be so missed & never forgotten. Our deepest condolences to Barry, Robin & Graham. Mike & Darlene Furlong - Posted by: Darlene Furlong (Friend) on: Jan 18, 2025
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Dear Barry, Robin, Graham, Linda and family - I’m so sorry! Words cannot express what a loss this is. To think that when she and I were old enough to walk across our corners on Princess and Whyte to each other, we became friends for life. And stayed in each other’s - life no matter where in the world she got too! What a woman and what a friend. I miss her so much already. Lots of love and hugs to you all. I will see you soon! - Posted by: Vera Kameda-Lacroix (Friend) on: Jan 18, 2025