ANNABELLE MacKENZIE

(née Smith) (November 17, 1934 – July 17, 2025) Annabelle MacKenzie died peacefully, on July 17, 2025, in Peterborough, Ontario, at the age of 90 1/2. Born on November 17, 1934, Annabelle was the youngest of four daughters raised by Gordon and Rhoda Mae Smith on a farm in Innerkip, Ontario. From a young age, she embraced farm life driving the tractor, picking stones, and helping tend the chickens and dairy herd alongside her parents. After leaving the two-room school in Innerkip, she attended Woodstock Collegiate Institute, where she met the love of her life, Andrew "Andy'" MacKenzie. They married and shared 60 devoted years together. Annabelle trained as a teacher and began her career in Woodstock before transferring to Guelph, where she worked to put Andy through his engineering degree. The couple spent a couple of years in Toronto, where Annabelle had the memorable experience of teaching the children of comedy duo, Wayne and Shuster. Settling in Woodstock, Annabelle paused her professional life to raise their two children, Alison and Alexander. She remained deeply involved in her community, finding joy and friendship in curling, golf at Craigowan, and decades of bridge nights with her cherished circle of friends. In the early 1980s, with her children grown, Annabelle returned with renewed passion to teaching. For many years, she taught grades 4 and 5 in schools across Oxford County. Annabelle brought creativity and energy to her classroom, especially in teaching multiplication tables - having students walk up and down the room repeating their times tables. She completed additional qualifications at Western University, becoming a music specialist, inspiring generations of students through singing, square dancing, and ukulele. Annabelle was predeceased by her beloved husband, Andy; and her sisters, Norma, Dorothy, and Elaine. She will be remembered by her daughter, Alison (Trenton); her son, Alexander (Lorraine); and her granddaughters, Cleo, Abigail, Kenzie, Kellan, and Katerina. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations in Annabelle's memory may be made to a charity supporting music or education. Remembrances and stories are welcome at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com.