Linda McKinlay Honored as Namesake Square Officially Opens in Comber
Community booster and retired municipal councillor Linda McKinlay was honored on Saturday, April 4, 2026, with the official opening of the newly created Linda McKinlay Square in Comber. The petite parkette, located on the main street of the Lakeshore village, features a gazebo, seating, new landscaping, and a digital welcome sign that will be used to share information and event notices with Comber residents.
Dignitaries and Politicians Celebrate Decades of Service
McKinlay was feted Saturday morning by dignitaries, politicians, friends, and family, honoring her five decades of dedicated community work. Caldwell First Nation Chief Nikki van Oirschot welcomed everyone, followed by Essex MP Chris Lewis, who also spoke on behalf of MPP Anthony Leardi (PC — Essex) and Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore MP Kathy Borrelli, who were also in attendance.
"It truly takes a community to make a community," Lewis said. "And each and every one of you here today, in whatever capacity you continue to bring to this community, is absolutely vital for the future, not only for our country, but to leave the world a better place than you found it."
Lewis added, "And thank goodness we have Linda in our lives, that she is leaving the world a better place than she found it." He presented McKinlay with a King Charles III Coronation pin and a certificate during the ceremony.
Family Reflections on a Lifetime of Giving
Husband Mark McKinlay expressed his pride in watching his wife make the community a better place. "Linda has given her time, her energy, and her heart … whether it was volunteering, organizing, helping neighbours or simply being there when someone needed a hand, she never hesitated," Marks said.
"What makes me most proud isn’t just what she’s done but how she’s done it with kindness, humility, and genuine love for people around her," he continued. "To see her name now become a permanent part of Main Street, well, that’s something truly meaningful, not just for our family, but for everyone whose lives she has touched along the way."
A Legacy of Volunteerism and Community Involvement
McKinlay's extensive volunteer work spans numerous organizations over the years. Her contributions include:
- Serving as a Brownie leader, PTA member, and baseball coach in her early years.
- Being a member of the Comber Chapter IODE for 45 years, including several tenures as president.
- Serving on the Comber Agricultural Society board for 25 years.
- Teaching Sunday school at St. Andrew’s United Church and serving on the board.
- Sitting on the Comber and District Historical Society board.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey, with McKinlay looking on, marking the square as a lasting tribute to her unwavering commitment to the Comber community.
