Mona MacKechnie, a long-time community leader in Quyon and current resident at Les Amis du Manoir St-Joseph was honoured with the Canadian Platinum Jubilee Pin, an award given to notable citizens created to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
Mona was presented the award by Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel in recognition of her long life of public service at a ceremony at the manoir in Campbell’s Bay on Jan 18. Mona’s fellow residents, her family and friends all attended the ceremony.
Mona was selected as the recipient of one of the Platinum Jubilee Pins assigned to the riding of Pontiac as a part of Commonwealth-wide celebrations by Chatel and her team. The ceremony was originally supposed to be in September, but covid concerns delayed the ceremony.
Mona was deeply moved by the award, saying she was overwhelmed.
“It’s a true honour for her and, from a daughter’s point of view, it’s well deserved,” said Donna MacKechnie, Mona’s daughter.
Donna listed just some of the contributions to Quyon, which include:
Being an active member of the Quyon United Church and belonging to the United Church Women for 50 years; being the first Leader of the Canadian Girls In Training in Quyon; initiating the Quyon Ladies Ball League in the late 1970’s; being a charter member of the Quyon Lionettes since 1983 and serving as the club’s first president; directing, starring in and promoting many events like the Murder Mysteries (which lasted 15-20 years); aiding and supporting the Quyon/Onslow Centennial in 1975 alongside her husband Laurie, bringing thousands of former and present residents together; co-chairing the Quyon/Onslow Millennial Committee recognizing Quyon’s 125 years; co-creating the Quyon Beautification Commitee and fundraising to make Quyon a great place to live; founding a park at the corner of Clarendon and Egan Streets that is still being maintained today; designing
flower beds and building benches for the entrance onto Main Street; being instrumental in the mural project on buildings depicting Quyon’s heritage; and starting Quyon Community Day fundraiser which brought young and old together with music, games, food and fun. She also was known for doing small things, like picking up litter and helping other residents.
Overall, Mona explained that she just loved her town and helping out.
“It’s truly an honour and unexpected. You
know, when you do all these things, you don’t think you’re going to get the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal for doing it. You do it to better your town,” said Donna.
Glenna Campbell, who Donna described as Mona’s co-pilot and close friend, said doing something to honour Mona and her late husband, Laurie MacKechnie, has been in the works for two years. She said Mona is very deserving of the honour.
When asked what she thought motivated Mona’s community spirit, Glenna said:
“I don’t know. It just seemed to be something that was within her. She never could go for a walk without picking up garbage. If it was on the street, she picked it up. When she walked down the street she would say, ‘oh, we need something to brighten this town up’ and the next thing we knew we had flowerpots to the side of the street.”
And through it all, Glenna said that Mona always remained humble.
“She never seemed to want any kind of praise for doing nice things. And she just was one of those ladies that could see all the things that we needed in our community and tried to get them for us.”
“She was definitely the pillar of Quyon and did everything 100 per cent. She was a great leader,” said Audrey Fraser, the daughter of one of Mona’s friends.
Fraser also described Mona as some one who reliably got parties started, and brought a little kazoo around to events
“She was small but she had the biggest heart,” said Fraser.
Mona’s continues to be a pillar of the community, with her funloving ways following her into the manoir, where she is known as someone who brightens up the moods of the other residents.
One described how last Halloween, Mona came dressed as a pirate, to the delight of the other residents.
Surrounded by family and friends, Mona was still at the centre of the action during the reception after the ceremony.
“I’ll never take it off,” Mona said about the pin, with tears in her eyes.
