OBITUARY
Esther (Kiley) MacKINNON
December 16, 1946-August 12, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther MacKinnon (née Kiley) who left us peacefully on Aug. 12, 2025 at the age of 78.
Esther was a devoted mother to Tim (Brenda Bedford), a doting grand- mother to Margo and a loving sister to Sherril (the late Michael King). She was predeceased by her younger sister Joyce (Roger Gallant), her younger brother Joseph and her youngest sister Geraldine.
Esther was born on Dec. 16, 1946, the second of five children born to Timothy and Rita Kiley (née Neville). She had an idyllic childhood in the town of Shannon, just outside of Quebec City. Surrounded by extended family and a proud Irish heritage, she grew up in a progressive environment where character was foremost. She travelled the world, living in Europe and South America, making lifelong friends along the way, before settling in Ottawa. She loved music and singing. She was caring, considerate and compassionate. She gave unconditionally.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at Saint-Vincent Hospital and Billings Lodge, where Esther resided over the past year. A special thank you to Alex and Winston for their kindness, patience and under- standing.
A teacher for many years, Esther saw families in her community who struggled to make ends meet and was a lifelong supporter of the Ottawa Food Bank. In lieu of flowers, donations in Esther’s memory can be made at ottawafoodbank.ca/donate.
A mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at:
Sainte-Catherine-de-la- Jacques-Cartier Church
1, rue Jolicoeur
Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, QC
Esther’s family will welcome relatives and friends to share their sympathies at the church beginning at noon.
Some abandoned religious sites in Quebec City have found a new purpose, like the Église Saint-Charles de Limoilou, which is now the Manivelle Centre and training space for Machine de Cirque. Here, people practise acroyoga (a blend of acrobatics and yoga). (Photo by Cassandra Kerwin) 
Over 200 reenactors portray three sieges on Quebec City. The American Continental Army wore green jackets during the Siege of William Phips in 1690. British soldiers and representatives of the 78th Fraser Highlanders are also in the photo. (Photo by Cassandra Kerwin) 
La Maison de la Photo in collaboration with the City of Quebec created a silent slide show to mark the 40th anniversary of Quebec City making the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1985. 
More than 30 galleries and artists participated in the annual Nuit des Galleries open house on Sept. 6 in Petit-Champlain. Here, Martin Beaupré paints for an audience. (Photo by Simon Clark courtesy of Julie Moffet Communications) 
Members of the Ukulélé Club de Québec, including André Pelletier (second from left), Ann Martell (front row centre) and Marjolaine Hébert (front row right) perform in the chapel of the Domaine Maizerets during the Celtic Festival on Sept. 6. (Photo by Ruby Pratka) 
Legion members Sylvie Parent, Adeline Savoie, Branch 265 president André Lavallée and Chantal Ody pose for a photo before teeing off at the second annual President’s Golf Tournament at the Club de Golf de Lorette on Sept. 2. (Photo by Alcide Maillet courtesy of Branch 265) 
Kendall Simmons powered the Capitales to the Frontier League series with a home run in game two against the New York Boulders on Sept. 5 at Stade Canac. (Photo courtesy of the Capitales de Québec/Christian Gingras) 
Running back Mathieu Roy of the Rouge et Or might not have found the end zone, but he was instrumental in Laval’s 28-5 win on Sept. 7. Roy rushed for 132 yards on only six carries. (Photo courtesy of the Rouge et Or via Instagram)