Rebecca Justine (Bradley) MacKinnon

Rebecca Justine (Bradley) MacKinnon

North Sydney/ Sydney Mines

If you are reading this, you will know that our beautiful girl Justine has lost her long and courageous battle with cancer at the age of 30. Justine passed away at home, where she wanted to be, surrounded by her loving family on Monday, April 4, 2022. She was the daughter of Lorne and Lisa (Bradley) Taylor of North Sydney. 

Justine was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of two and was insulin dependent for the rest of her life. As the years went by, and with the close guidance of her mother, Justine never let her diabetes stop her from doing anything that she wanted to do. She grew up on Ocean Street in Sydney Mines and was always so proud of her roots.

Justine’s greatest joy in life was her two children – Nixon and Lennex, whom she adored beyond measure and fought so hard to live for. Their mommy was their everything, and they would pray every night for her to get better. As young as they are, they will remember all the good times with their mommy. Justine loved the title “Hockey Mom” and was so proud of her boy playing hockey. Everyone says that Lennex is a mini Justine, there really can be no denying it. We all know that Justine will always watch over Nixon and Lennex and that they will feel her presence although they won’t be able to see her. Justine knew she was dying but what made it so peaceful was knowing that her children would always be loved and taken care of beyond measure by her parents Lisa and Lorne and by all who love them.   

Justine was a warrior of sorts, always standing up for what she believed in and always standing up for people who needed a warrior on their sides themselves.

At the end of the day, when the children were tucked in bed, Justine and her mother would sit and watch their favourite TV shows and talk about their day, never discussing the world’s problems but just enjoying their time together. Her mother was her rock and her best friend.

Justine always said no one could make coconut cream pie like her Nanny Bradley - it was her favourite, along with Aunt Charlene’s shortbread cookies, Aunt Alanna’s meatballs, and no one could make a turkey dinner like her father Lorne. Aunt Judy and Uncle Kenny were always dropping off treats for them all as well.

Besides her parents and children, Justine is survived by her grandparents, Monty and Susan Bradley; her uncle, John Bradley, whom she thought of more as a brother than an uncle; Lorne’s children, Allie and Kyle; her brother and sister, Dylan and Erika McLean; her husband Mitchell; her mother-in-law Raylene Herridge and her father-in-law Eric MacKinnon; brothers-in-law Aaron and Matty; her extended family – the McLean family from Glace Bay, who were always a part of Justine’s life and whom she loved dearly; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that span the globe. Justine had a circle of friends that were irreplaceable and that others could only hope to have. They were always there for one another and stayed by Justine’s side till the very end.

Justine is predeceased by her grandparents John and Lorraine McLean; grandparents Les and Mildred Taylor, and many aunts and uncles.

At this time we want to thank Dr. Kohlsmith, Dr. McGory, Dr. Kodadad, nurses and staff of The Cancer Center, nurses and staff of palliative care, The VON, ER doctors and nursing staff, and last but certainly not least, the team with EHS,  you are second to none. You all treated our beautiful girl with respect, dignity and compassion. All of the healthcare professionals are amazing people. You didn’t choose your profession; God chose it for you.

In keeping with Justine’s wishes, there will be no viewing. Cremation has taken place and there will be a private family service at the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home Chapel at 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be left for the family by posting on the tribute wall of the obituary page at www.wjdooley.com.

Justine was an inspiration to all who knew her so this is something one her best friends, Lexie, wrote for her Justine not long ago:

We look up to her in so

Many ways.

She shows us strength

When she is weak

She gives us laughter

When she can’t find a smile

She offers us advice

When she’s sometimes lost

When she’s ready to crumble

She’s the miracle

When we are scared

She is a fighter

 Every

Damn

Day

She is a daughter

She is a mother

She is a friend

She is our girl

And in Justine’s words

“I love you from the ground to God”

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