In Memory, Margaret "Nodie" McKinney

My grandmother passed away November 30, 2009. She was 96! She was born on November 24th 1913 and "Nodie" comes from her name, Renovia. Nodie was easy to say. She wasn't allowed to be baptized as "Renovia" because it was considered a 'dog's' name and she was baptized Margaret Mary. It's my understanding that Catholics used to have to have a Saint's name to be baptized.

I'm named after my grandmother, and that's not all we have in common. She played piano and saxophone and LOVED music. I have followed in her footsteps to become a music teacher. I remember the first and only time she played the piano for me - it was all from memory and it was a rag.

I will always remember my gram for sitting me on her lap and rocking me, sing/saying the poem "Three Little Kittens". She also loved BRIGHT colors. One of the last times she came to my house she was wearing this outrageous hot pink hat and mittens.

She was a quiet and humble woman who had a great sense of humor. She gave birth to my father in her home because the closest hospital was in Canada and she wanted him to be born an American citizen.

I love you Gram!


Obituary from the Bangor Daily News:

Margaret McKinney "Nodie"

MADAWASKA - Margaret "Nodie" McKinney, 96, passed away Nov. 30, 2009, at a Madawaska health care facility. She was born Nov. 24, 1913, in Chipman, New Brunswick, the daughter of Lemuel and Edith (McKillian) Bourgeois. Nodie had a passion for music and in her earlier years, she was a member of the only all women orchestra in Maine. Her favorite instrument was the saxophone. Later in life she enjoyed working with needlepoint. She was also a member of Daughters of Isabella and a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where she sang in the choir. Nodie is survived by one daughter, Dacia Lea Paradis of Wells; two sons, Wendell McKinney and his wife, Gayle, of Easton and Ricky McKinney of Madawaska; five grandchildren, Stephanie, Lee Anne, Kevin, Clayton and Renovia; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Monica Martin of Edmundston, New Brunswick. She was predeceased by her husband, Edgar McKinney, in 1987; and by one grandson, Chad Paradis. Friends and family may call 8 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday, Dec. 2, at Daigle Funeral Home, where a funeral service will begin 10 a.m. Interment will be held later this spring at the parish cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church for Masses to be said in memory of Margaret.