Clara Elizabeth 'Betty' McKinnon (nee Barrett)

It is with unspeakable sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our precious mother, Clara Elizabeth (Betty) McKinnon at 1:39 am on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, of natural causes at the age of 98. She was surrounded by loved ones at her passing. The mother of 10 children who admired and adored her, she was loved by all who knew her and she, in turn, showed great love for everyone. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.  

Betty was raised in Alberton, Prince Edward Island where she was born to Charlie and Rose Barrett on July 24, 1926. She moved to Alberta soon after marrying Joseph Belland in 1946, and she spent the next 35 years raising her children here, moving from Edmonton to Drumheller and then to Calgary in 1960. Her husband, Joseph, passed in 1978. Betty remained in Calgary until the early 1990’s when she remarried in a happy union with Ron McKinnon of Alberton and moved back to her beloved PEI. Ron passed in 2008 and Betty remained in PEI, building more warm memories with her sisters and brothers on the island she loved, and finally returned to Alberta in July 2017. 

Betty was the oldest resident of the Albert Park Unit at Clifton House Care Facility for the last 20 months, and many of the staff and other residents considered her a favorite. Her family greatly appreciates the wonderful care she received by the amazing staff at Clifton House.  

Betty is survived by 9 of her 10 loving children, Joe, Christine (Ron), Belinda (Dennis), Maureen, Tony, Simone, Jerry, Denise (Norm) and B-J (Rick). As well, she leaves behind 23 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren, 4 sisters and many, many nieces and nephews as well as numerous step grandchildren. Betty was predeceased by her 1st husband Joe Belland, her 2nd husband Ron McKinnon as well as her parents Charlie and Rose Barrett, daughter Gail, 4 brothers, 7 sisters, 1 grandchild, 2 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. 

Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 13 at 1:00 pm at Holy Trinity Church - 1525 45 Street SE Calgary. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held immediately after (approximately 2:00 pm) at the hall of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, two blocks away - 833 44 Street SE, Calgary. Her ashes will then be returned to Alberton to be interred beside her late husband, Ron McKinnon.