In support of Mackenzie Neufeld and Family
The bright light of Mackenzie Alexis Min-Ching Neufeld (or Kenz or Kenzie) of Airdrie, Alberta, was lost on November 25, 2020, just days after celebrating her 20th birthday.
Mackenzie’s life was infectious and bright, entering the world with unimaginable strength, love and authentic compassion for the world.
She would spend most of her personal time participating in leadership or community events, being hand-selected for two honours - WeDay and a Calgary’s play-write guild. She was an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and countless other volunteer groups. She celebrated life with countless lifelong friends, and making new ones everywhere she went.
Mackenzie was a beautiful writer, and would sketch in quiet solitude. Very few people would see what she created, but she left us several journals filled with her talent.
Mackenzie was studious and hard working, graduating high school at WH Croxford in Airdrie, and had just begun her first semester at the University of Lethbridge with a double major in Sociology and Psychology. Her dream was to become a forensic psychologist.
For over a year, Mackenzie saved her earnings from her first and only job at Flavours of Montreal (Airdrie) for her studies and travel.
Anyone, from restaurant patrons, to teachers, to friends or fellow-community volunteers, will tell you she always had a smile and was there to listen. She was full of empathy and unconditional love, no matter how long you’d known her.
Even when she’d reach a setback or roadblock, she would embrace it with respect and not wallow in pity. When she hurt, she kept it to herself so as to not burden anyone. That was just Mackenzie - her heart for others was just too big for the world.
While we cry for her loss now, she would hate us doing that for her. She’d hate being the centre of attention and would cringe at us spending time in our own sadness. Her memory will forever live on in our hearts and the countless lives she touched. Her family asks you to hold on to the positivity she brought you, her silly side and her love that she shared with you.
She is survived by her mother, Juliana Jay, her father, James Neufeld, and younger brothers Lucas and Isaiah Neufeld. Mackenzie’s extended family included several uncles and aunts and her maternal grandparents.
This Go Fund Me Page has been created in hopes of helping to alleviate any financial stress that the family incurs during this time. Any and all funds received above and beyond the funeral expenses will be put towards an educational grant to be set up in Mackenzie’s honour.
