myNISH.ca - Antigonish, Nova Scotia

 “Learning, in its various forms, and family were the two constants in my young life.”

MacKENZIE (Lomas), Christy Ann (54), Sherbrooke, Guysborough County died Friday, October 3, 2008 in the QEII Health Science Center, Halifax with her loving family at her side. Born in Ottawa, Ont., she was the daughter of Aleah (Palmer) Lomas-Anderson, Sherbrooke and the late Alton Anderson Lomas.

In her own words:

“Looking back, I lived an unusual life. I was born in Ottawa in 1954. My parents chose the diplomatic life, traveling the world and representing Canada’s commercial interests in Detroit, Mexico, Belgium and, New York. My older brother and I grew up immersed in different cultures and different languages. By the time I turned 12, I had studied in five languages, four school systems, and four countries.

In 1966, we returned to Canada. The next year, just as Canada entered her Centennial Year, I began the journey from childhood to adolescence. I was enrolled in one of the last bastions of the liberal philosophy of education – the girl’s private day school (Elmwood School, Ottawa), and I loved every moment.

Learning, in its various forms, and family were the two constants in my young life.

In my final high school year, my parents, in anticipation of a new posting, enrolled me in a boarding school in Nova Scotia (Edgehill School, Windsor). This was my first taste of “culture shock”.

The next year, I enrolled at the University of King’s College, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Canadian Studies. I obtained an education at university and I developed career skills in a variety of full-time, part-time and summer jobs.

In 1979 I was back to packing my suitcases for two years in the People’s Republic of China. I accepted,
despite being virtually unqualified, a position as Principal of the Canadian School in Beijing. With appropriate fear, anxiety, and doubt, I met my 13 students. They were from 8 to 13 years of age, represented eight countries and spoke six languages. These exceptional children shared my passion for learning and triggered my delight in teaching. Life in China was a challenge I would never regret.

I returned to Canada in 1981. My plan was to facilitate the cross-cultural adjustment of students and scholars from the People’s Republic of China but I did not know where to begin. I began the Master of Adult Education program at St. Francis Xavier University in 1982. Before I could finish, I accepted a one year administrative position at the SMU/CIDA China project. The project had two phases: English language instruction in Beijing for one year followed by a one month cross-cultural training program at one of 5 university-based international student centers funded by CIDA across Canada.

For the next two decades, my private curriculum was written with joy and success: the birth of my three children; marriage to my husband; educational and professional achievements.”

After suffering an aneurysm and stroke in 2001, 'C.A.' spent 7 years making great progress in self-rehabilitation. She resumed her Masters program at StFX, studying her own and others' recovery from brain injury in an effort to chart a course for 'self-abilitation'. She recently enjoyed reconnecting and sharing memories with old friends from high school and University, in person and on Facebook.

Christy Ann found keeping a yard full of dogs, cats, birds, ducks, chickens and horses deeply therapeutic. She referred to her own two miniature horses, Comet and Paulo, as 'my babies'.

Her smile was broadest when she was in the presence of her three children. She lovingly supported and encouraged them to pursue their passions as she had done, encouraging Adam in his promising career in the Arts or his political aspirations and proudly watching Mary and Amelia grow into talented equestrian riders and trainers.

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by family, friends, and animals alike.

Besides her mother, Christy Ann is survived by husband Malcolm Joseph MacKenzie; son Adam Palmer Lomas; and daughters Mary Anderson Lomas-Wetmore (and friend Jamie Lukeman) and Amelia Frances MacKenzie, of Sherbrooke; step-daughter May Dawson (Kris), Sackville; brother Alton Anderson 'Andy' Lomas, San Francisco; step-grandson George Dawson; niece Sara Lomas, Montreal; nephew Alton Anderson 'Tony' Lomas, Toronto, accepted son Sam Madesi (Calgary), and many cousins and friends. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm in G.W. Giffin Funeral Home, St. Mary’s Chapel, 34 Main Street, Sherbrooke. Funeral service will be held Thursday at 2pm in St. James Presbyterian Church, Sherbrooke. Rev. David Curry officiating. Reception to follow at Sherbrooke Village Exhibit Centre. A private burial will take place at a later date. Family flowers only, please. Memorial donations may be made to the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia or in trust to Amelia MacKenzie. Funeral arrangements are under the dignified and compassionate care of the G.W. Giffin Funeral Home, Sherbrooke. On-line condolences may be made at www.gwgiffin.com or at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55297975504.