Therese Mackin

Known for her beautiful and contagious smile, Therese Mary (Fenlon) Mackin, 88, of St. Ignace passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016 in East Jordan. She was born October 21, 1927 in St. Ignace to Michael and Anna Bridget (Rhoades) Fenlon. She was raised in the Chambers house, now known as the historic Colonial House in the heart of downtown St. Ignace. She was the last of eight children, all who have died: Chambers, Elizabeth (Fitzpatrick), John, Frances (Bolan), Anna Catherine (Scofield), Mary (LaChapelle), and Helen (Soblaskey). She graduated from the Ursuline Academy in 1946. While there, the nuns indulged this young budding writer by allowing her to put on numerous plays in which she wrote, directed and acted. She married Patrick J. Mackin on November 20, 1948 at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace. She was past president and vice president of St. Anne's Altar Society, an active member of the Funeral Liturgy Committee, and helped organize the local food pantry in the basement of the church. She started the prayer group, "Apostles of Purgatory." The group consists of 58 members. She worked at Fenlon and Brown Attorneys, Arnold Transit Co., Dr. Todd orthodontist of St. Ignace/Petoskey. She worked for the Sault Evening News as a reporter and columnist. She had a column called "From this Corner" in which she was able to expand on her creative writing and dramatic flair to entertain her loyal public. Therese was very special. She was a caring and compassionate friend. She tried to make people feel included and important. Her passions were love for her family, reading, and playing bridge. She took up golf in her 70s and was a natural. A devote Catholic, she took comfort in her faith and shared that with others. She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick, in 1994; her son-in-law, Fred Waits, in 2000; her grandson, Spc. Andrew Waits in Iraq, in 2006, and her son, Paul, in 2007. She is survived by her son, Thomas, Idaho; daughters: Diane Waits, Waterford; Patrice and Gene Elmer, St. Ignace; grandson, Alexander Mackin; granddaughters, Lindsey Mackin, Catherine Waits, and Laura Waits, and great-granddaughters, Emily Waits Henry and Paisley Mackin. A funeral mass was held Saturday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church with Fr. Norbert B. Landreville officiating. Rosary was held at 10 a.m. followed by visitation until service time. Burial was at St. Ignatius Loyola Cemetery next to her husband. Following burial, friends and family celebrated Therese's life at the Mackinac Grille. Memorials may be made to Project Hope-Food Pantry, with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home who assisted the family with arrangements.

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Therese Mackin

June 7, 2016