In loving memory of
Maria Lorraine Mackenzie
December 23, 2008 – July 4, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Lorraine Mackenzie on Friday, July 4, 2025 at the age of 16 years. After facing unimaginable hardships with resilience, she ended her life, and has now found peace.
Her life and memory is profoundly cherished by her beloved mother, Monique Pillay. She will be lovingly remembered by a host of loving family, close friends, especially Will and Sam, and her father, Gordon Mackenzie (Dawn).
Maria was a deeply empathetic, kind and creative person with the most incredible sense of humour and delighted in using subtle, quick-witted observations to make someone laugh. She always had a loving heart, understanding and deepest acceptance for all people. Most recently she discovered an interest in learning ASL, and it quickly proved to come easily to her and it connected to her determination to make other feels seen and welcomed.
As a gifted musician, with a special enthusiasm for grunge rock and punk, she could often be found playing one of her many guitars. She enjoyed exploring a multitude of musicians, and often asked for thoughts and recommendations, happily shared her take on them, though most were compared to, and clearly surpassed by her favourite band – Nirvana.
Her infatuation with gaming and puzzles included a fascination with locks and a brilliance at assembling her many Star Wars Collector edition Lego.
She would often enthusiastically share her eclectic interests with her friends and family. She loved to get lost in books, and was drawn to a wide range of genres that she seemed to be able to finish faster than could possibly be expected, and she’d be already choosing her next two or three. She also enjoyed thrifting and finding the most unique of items and imagining a story behind them, or unique purpose that awaited.
Maria’s gentle beautiful heart, bubbling laughter, clever mind and generous spirit will be deeply missed.
In leu of flowers, please donate to Simple Plan Foundation or Egale Canada.
In honor of Maria’s life, we asked that anyone in need of support, please reach out to: Crisis helpline 9-8-8 or Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868.
Help is available and you are not alone.
Celebration of Life
To honour her, please join us for her virtual Celebration of Life on:
Wednesday July 16, 2025
1:00pm
Topic: Celebration of Life for Maria Mackenzie
Time: July 16, 2025 01:00 PM Edmonton
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89481194299?pwd=bajNWZXxucVbLW0RaGuPTMZg6iMlMO.1
Meeting ID: 894 8119 4299
Passcode: 125952
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