Leslie Ann Mackenzie Van Wagner

VAN WAGNER, Leslie Ann Mackenzie - On May 25th we said goodbye to Leslie Ann Mackenzie Van Wagner, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend. Predeceased by her husband, Charles Wayne Van Wagner of Waterford, Ontario, along with her parents, Duncan Scott MacKenzie and Eva Grace Wheeler MacKenzie, and her brother, Colin Mackenzie, all of Moncton, New Brunswick. Survived by her sister Martha MacKenzie Pitman of Bermuda and her brother Alan (Brenda) MacKenzie of Moncton; her daughters, Beth Karrow (Doug), Lynn Zimmer (Rick) and Jill Van Wagner (Mooen); as well as her grandchildren, Stuart, Heather and Patrick Karrow and Meghan Gore (Steven), Hannah Junkin (Isaac), Abbey Zimmer and Joshua Lee; in-laws Randy and Ann Van Wagner and Anita (Van Wagner) and Matt Miller; nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. 

Leslie will be missed immensely by all who knew her. Raised in Moncton, New Brunswick, Mom had a soft spot for all things that reminded her of family and of the place she considered home - from childhood summers at the family’s Shediac cottage, to her years spent at Mount Allison University. The calling of her beloved east coast was never far from her mind even when the dementia had erased many other memories. Mom met Wayne at Camp Borden as part of ROTC. They were married following university in 1963 and settled in Kitchener-Waterloo where they made lifelong friends, started their family and ultimately their careers at Mutual Life of Canada. 

Mom loved to cook and garden, to entertain, travel with friends and family, and enjoy a good game of bridge. Everyone who met her knew her kindness and her warmth, her generous and loving heart, her willingness to lend a helping hand, her unconditional support, and her authenticity.    Mom’s greatest joy was the time she spent time with her grandchildren - dancing to Jive Bunny, sleepovers, epic Easter egg hunts, taking them on adventures, baking and reading!  Loved ones know how she enjoyed chocolate and a nice glass of Merlot. Mom’s never-ending patience, humility, and love of her friends and family will be forever missed. She was extraordinary.

Thanks to the staff at Strathcona LTC for your compassion and care. 

Private celebration of life to be announced shortly. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Leslie are asked to consider the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington. Arrangements entrusted to the England Funeral Home, Mount Forest.