Susan Irene MacKay

It is with great sadness that our family announces the peaceful passing of Susan MacKay in Brandon, Manitoba on March 13, 2026. We have lost a giving, caring, and compassionate member of our family who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Born on April 28, 1957, in Brandon, Manitoba, to Donald and Hazel MacKay, Susan was a proud East Ender and carried that pride with her throughout her life.

Susan trained as a psychiatric nurse at the Brandon Mental Health Centre (BMHC), graduating in 1977, and began her career there. It was a time that shaped her deeply, strengthening her compassion, patience, and ability to find light even in difficult moments. From those years came many stories she would later share with family and friends, always told with her unmistakable humour and heart.

Over the years, Susan’s path in healthcare reflected her deep commitment to caring for others. She worked in long-term care facilities before serving the community as a home care nurse until her retirement from Prairie Mountain Health in 2017. Throughout her career, she built many meaningful and lasting friendships with colleagues and patients alike, bringing comfort, dignity, and warmth to those she cared for, often becoming as much a friend as a caregiver.

Family was at the heart of Susan’s life. The MacKay family reunions in Hilton and Belmont brought her endless joy, filled with laughter, baseball, games, and fireworks. No matter how much time had passed, everyone would come together and pick up right where they left off.

She was also a proud member of the Brandon Pizza Place Ladies Softball Team who were inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in 2015, an honour Susan held close to her heart. She often spoke fondly of those years and the friendships she shared with her teammates.

Susan had a deep love for music, storytelling, and animals. She had a special way of bringing stories to life, often finding humour even in the toughest situations, and her familiar laugh will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. She also cherished her beloved Basset Hounds, whose loyal companionship brought her great comfort and joy over the years.

Susan will be remembered for her generous spirit, her dedication to caring for others, and the warmth and laughter she brought into the lives of family, friends, and the many people she helped. She formed many lifelong friendships that she deeply valued.

Susan was predeceased by her parents, Hazel and Donald MacKay.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Marion Wood; her brother, Ray MacKay (Elizabeth Barrie); her nephews, Christopher Wood and Bradley Wood; her niece, Heather Cordingley (Tyler); her nephew, David MacKay (Adrianna) and their children, Grayson and Sophia; and her niece, Sarah Smith (Michael) and their children, Hazel and Oscar.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff at Brandon Regional Health Centre and the staff at Fairview Personal Care Home for the compassionate care provided to Susan. Their kindness, patience, and unwavering support brought comfort during a difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Susan’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba 10 – 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 or the Brandon Humane Society 2200 – 17th Street East, Brandon, MB R7A 7M6, in honour of her caring nature and her deep love for animals.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held this fall, where family and friends will gather to remember and honour her. Details will be announced at a later date.