Natalie Rae McKinnon

It is with great sadness that the family of Natalie Rae McKinnon announce her passing on August 28, 2021 in Gibsons, B.C. at the age of 36. Natalie was a gentle soul, a gifted artist, with eyes as blue as the sky in summer. She was happiest waterskiing, smiling ear to ear while cutting the wake or dropping a ski. Natalie suffered from the disease of addiction and believed strongly in second chances. She worked mightily to maintain her sobriety, looking forward to a future with her family. Unfortunately, addiction took her life far too young. Addiction stole Natalie from us, we will miss her everyday and always remember the good times we shared as a family. Natalie is forever remembered by her parents, John and Cindy McKinnon, her sisters Nicole (Tyler) McKinnon and Natasha (Pierre) Thomas, nephews Kyson and Keon, grandmothers Marnie McKinnon, Barbara Audette, aunt Diane Mealings, uncles Barry and Daryl McKinnon, godparents Donald and Colleen Kelly, and cousins Dayne (Kasmira) Mealings, Derek (Jackie) Mealings, Debbie (Luke) Hayward, Deanna (Dean) Haight, Alisha (Derek) Johnson ,Kevin McKinnon, Megan (Shawn) McKinnon, Taryn McKinnon and Johnny McKinnon.

Natalie will be laid to rest in the ocean, where she was happiest and most at peace. Below sits her favorite poem, “Footprints in the Sand”; she found great strength in its words.

Time together is precious; tonight hug your loved ones a little tighter and hold on a little longer. May you rest in peace, and without pain our sweet Natalie. May love be what you remember most.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

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