Manon Mackasey

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, Manon Mackasey (Sandra Manon Mackasey), who lost her battle to cancer on June 8th, 2024. Born on January 22, 2001, Manon was just 23 years old.

Manon had an active childhood in Canmore, Alberta, from 2002-2015, thriving in the outdoors with experiences like downhill skiing, hiking at Lake O’Hara, sleeping in a quinzhee, and of course, climbing! Manon’s experiences included indoor sport climbing, rock climbing, and outdoor trips to Cougar Creek, Lake Louise, Invermere, and Grassi Lakes. Climbing was a huge part of Manon’s teens, and her inclusion on the national team enabled her to travel and compete internationally. She won the Canadian Nationals in her age group at 11 years old, competed in 2 Pan American Championships in Mexico and Toronto, and competed at the World Championships in Guangzhou, China. Manon even climbed at Red Rocks, Utah, during spring break in her final year of high school.

We moved to Sooke, BC, for Manon’s high school years, where new opportunities, lifelong friendships, and University aspirations started to expand her horizons. She then juggled volleyball and robotics teams with climbing, training, and coaching.

In 2019, Manon was excited to be accepted into the engineering program at Queen’s University and moved to Kingston. In second year, she chose Chemical Biomedical Engineering as her specialty. It should have been no surprise to those that knew her that she would amass more lifelong friends just as she had in Sooke. Even after Manon’s passing, her friends continue to astound us with their thoughtfulness and commitment to the relationships they formed.

University paused in 2022 for a year long co-op placement in Medicine Hat at DRDC Suffield. Manon was fortunate to experience full-time work where her co-workers respected her, and her mentors expanded her horizons, challenged her growth, and treated her like a colleague.

Manon enjoyed traveling, seeing, and experiencing different cultures/places. She packed in a fair number of experiences in 23 years. Seven years of climbing acquainted her to Canada’s highlights: Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Vancouver, Calgary, & Edmonton. It also gave us a take-off point for other adventures: Disneyworld, NASA, Barcelona, and Machu Picchu in Peru. We will forever cherish the memories these family trips created.

Manon was a “people person” and that was reflected in the work and activities she chose. She spent several summers as a day camp counselor for Science camp, a French-speaking day camp in Quebec, and an Engineering camp. Other part-time jobs included lifeguarding, coaching climbing, tutoring fellow students, and being a zipline guide.

Manon had one semester left to complete for her university degree when cancer intruded on her plans. She chose to finish 1 full-year course through the winter term.  Organizing assignments and team meetings added sense of normalcy while she juggled doctor’s appointments, MRIs, PET scans and immunotherapy. Conversations with teammate Sam and professor Dr. Strong provided invaluable emotional support that went far beyond course itself. Her courage and zest for life inspired everyone around her. Her classmates, friends, and professors rallied to support her. Her friends petitioned for Manon to be included in Queen’s University’s Iron Ring ceremony. On June 3, 2024, just days before her passing, Manon proudly received an honorary iron ring via a virtual ceremony.

Her life was short-lived and she leaves us with memories that will forever inspire those fortunate enough to have been part of her journey. A memorial bench can be found in Kingston’s Breakwater Park in Manon’s honor. Manon asked that people donate to cancer:

Childhood Cancer Canada            https://www.childhoodcancer.ca/donate/

Melanoma and skin cancer:         https://www.saveyourskin.ca/donate

Or donate your hair, as she did:

Hair Donation- Wigs for Kids      https://wigsforkidsbc.com/

“I’m pissed that I’m dying young, so, please for me, live life to the fullest.”  Manon’s message to her friends.

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Condolence Messages

  1. Aydin & Marianne

    Deepest condolences. We miss Manon and we miss all those times we had together. We cherish the memories we had here in Canmore with you all.

  2. Such a young life gone, but she accomplished so much in her 23 years, my deepest condolences. Manon was a great person, she was friends with everyone on every climbing team. The angels have gained another beautiful soul and this world has lost one.

  3. Roswitha Yamamoto

    I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You gave Manon a great childhood and it sounds like her years as a young adult were also full of meaningful experiences. While it is reassuring to know that she lived life to the fullest at the same time this energy emphasizes a life cut short. There are no words that can offer comfort but please know that I am very saddened by this news and that my prayers and thoughts are with you both. I wish people in your life that help you through this difficult time. Take life one moment at a time and allow healing to happen. Best wishes, Vita (Roswitha Yamamoto)

  4. Jacqui and David Zender

    Manon arrived at our house in Toronto with her positive energy and big personality, yelling answers out while we all watched Jeopardy together just about an hour later. We had just met Manon who arrived with Kali from Queens that week end. She seemed to be comfortable immediately in our house, and we loved her instantly. Manon touched us all deeply. We are so sorry for your loss and have you in our hearts and prayers.

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