Minnie Elizabeth (Waters) Mackenzie

Minnie Elizabeth (Waters) Mackenzie, formerly of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2010, in the Special Care facility at Wesley Ridge Retirement Community in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Minnie was born May 12, 1924, in Wellston, Ohio, to the late William and Ada Waters. Upon graduation from Wellston High School in 1942, she attended Ohio University, where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa National Honorary and Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honorary Societies. She graduated in 1946 with a BS in Education. Minnie moved to Gallipolis to teach Economics & Sociology and World History at Gallia Academy High School.

On June 20, 1948, she became the wife of Robert G. (Bob) Mackenzie and in 1951, left her teaching position to begin her family. She started a second career on August 1, 1966, by becoming the Clerk-Treasurer of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library, and in 1993, won the Supportive Staff Member of the Year Award given by the Ohio Library Council. Minnie retired from the library in 1995 after 29 years of service. She was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Episcopal Church Women for many years.

During her 61 years in Gallipolis, she made many close and lasting friendships, so deciding to move was a hard decision. However, Minnie moved to Reynoldsburg in January 2007 to be near her family. While living at Wesley Ridge, she made many new friends and reconnected with her dear friend, Jean Mattox Bowman, formerly of Gallipolis.

Minnie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, William T. Waters; and her husband, Bob. She is survived by her daughters, Sue Ann (Roger) Williams of Pickerington, Ohio and Beth (Mark) Blackmer of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; and her son, Robbie Mackenzie of Richmond, Virginia. Also surviving are her grandchildren Ty Williams, Los Angeles, California; Susie Williams, Dublin, Ohio; Vanessa Vandawalker and Tiffany (Bob) Arnold, Westerville, Ohio, and great grandson Zack Mathew, Dublin, Ohio.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, 420 First Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio. Calling hours will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the service beginning at 12 p.m. Burial will be at the Ridgewood Cemetery in Wellston, Ohio. The Officiate for the service will be Monsignor William Meyers.

A memorial service will be held at Wesley Ridge, 2229 Taylor Park Drive, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068, on Friday, March 26, 2010, beginning at 1:30 p.m. with Reverend Kimes officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Bossard Memorial Library, 7 Spruce Street, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631 or to Mount Carmel Hospice, 1144 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215-1039.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Wesley Ridge, especially Reverend Robert Kimes, and the Mount Carmel Hospice support team for their care and encouragement during this difficult time.