Obituary of Charlotte Serena MacKinnon

Charlotte MacKinnon beloved daughter of Frances and Rob of Calgary, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2015 at the age of 22 years. Her joyful and determined spirit will live on in the hearts of her parents, sister Madeline, brother Ives, her extended family and her many dear friends. The life of man, said Thomas Hobbes in 1651, is "nasty, brutish and short" At times lide thes, it may seem that Hobbes was right. But Charlotte's life was anything but nasty, her life was filled with love from the moment she was born she was surrounded by a loving family. All through her life Charlotte experienced love and support. First and foremost from her parents Rob and Frances who were always there for her,who always advocated for her and gave her the best possible life. Also from so many more people;her caregivers, teacher, friends and extended family. Charlotte experienced love and support daily from so many people indeed, right up to her last moments, Charlotte was surrounded by those that loved her. She knew and experienced love every day, let us all know that and take comfort in it. Charlotte's life was anything but brutish. It was filled with kindness. Charlotte knew the kindness of all those who were close to her, but she also experienced the kindness of strangers. The kindness of so many people in our health care system who worked so hard to improve Charlotte's quality of life. The kindness of people in the deaf/blind community. The kindness of teachers, intervenors, and her employer at the Calgary Winter Club. Charlotte did not know the world as a brutish place, the world that Charlotte knew was filled with kindness. While it may be that Charlotte's life was shorter than we would have wished. Let us all remember that it was filled with meaning. Charlotte touched everyone around her in a beautiful and positive way. She was unfailingly cheerful and kind herself, never dwelling on her challenges, and always showing keen interest in the lives of others no matter what she was going through. She took joy in all that the world had to offer. She was always happy to just be with friends and family. She was an inspiration to us all to lift our spirits and to look for the best in life. It was impossible to spend time with Charlotte and not go away being a better person. With her indomitable spirit, she lifted us all up to higher heights. And so while it is impossible not to weep at this time, let us remember that Charlotte's life was anything but nasty and brutish. She showed us all that humankind is better than that and that the world is filled with love, kindness and meaning. A Memorial Service for Charlotte will be held at Dalhousie Community Church, 5511, Baroc Rd. NW Calgary, AB on Sunday March 22, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. Interpreter services will be provided. Please forward condolences through www.hffs.com. Donations in Charlotte's memory may be made to one of the following charities:www.deafblindalberta.ca, www.cnib.ca/en/alberta, www.deafandhearalberta.ca. Charlotte's family would like to thank the Alberta Mazankowski Heart Institute Staff for their care and kindness.