McKINNON: Nina Belle McKinnon passed away peacefully on Monday, November 25, 2013 in Brandon, Manitoba. She had happily celebrated her 90th birthday on April 16th with family members and friends. Nina was the younger daughter of Archie and Alice McKinnon. Nina lived her childhood in Minto, Manitoba with her mother, sister and brothers, her grandmother Margaret McKenzie, and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. She attended Minto School and was a member of the Minto United Church. Ties to Minto took her back to the community on many occasions. Nina's career with the Manitoba Telephone System began in Minto in 1943, as a telephone operator and continued for about 44 years. Her chosen career took her to Killarney, Dauphin and Brandon. Her transfer in 1975 to Brandon as chief telephone operator included training staff with new state of the art equipment. After retiring from MTS in 1986, she joined her friends in the Telephone Pioneers. Throughout her life, she always liked to be fashionably dressed and well groomed. She loved flowers, especially roses. To the end of her life, Nina read the paper daily to keep up on current and sporting events. She enjoyed watching curling, baseball, golf and hockey, and playing bridge at Seniors for Seniors. Family connections were important to her, as she kept many pictures and remembrances of nieces, nephews and cousins. Nina was a generous donor for many charitable organizations, and in earlier years actively volunteered in church and community events. Nina was predeceased by her parents, her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Earle Mains, her brother Malcolm and sister-in-law Kay and brothers Archie and Ken. Remembering Aunt Nina will be her nephews and nieces: Blaine and Neta Mains, Garry Mains, Judy and Doug Bell, Allison McKinnon, Jocelyn McKinnon and Ian McKinnon. Aunt Nina treasured her great nephew and nieces – Nevin, Nadine, Bryanne (Aaron), Marla (Kelly) and Jennifer (Rob) and their children Paige Mains, Kian Mains, Rowan, Reese and Lauchlan Schreiner, Tyson and Taylor Campbell, Taylor, Hunter and Jackson Brandt. She will be fondly remembered by her extended family and friends. The funeral service, conducted by Reverend Lydia Glawson, was held at Memories Chapel in Brandon on Friday, November 29, 2013. Pall bearers were Lorne McKenzie, Wayne McKenzie, Ian McKinnon, Nevin Mains, Garry McDougall and Larry McDougall. Nina McKinnon was laid to rest in the Minto Cemetery.