Aside from four years in Ottawa, Joan MacGillivray has lived near or in Vankleek Hill her whole life. She was born at the old residence hospital on Bertha Street and grew up on Dick Road near Cassburn. She married the late James MacGillivray and they lived on the family farm, behind the United Church at Kirk Hill and raised their own family. She now lives in Vankleek Hill.
Many likely remember MacGillivray as their school bus driver. She was behind the wheel of the big yellow buses for 36 years until the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Now, she has decided to try something different and sells jewellery online.
“The people are very friendly, it’s like family,” is how MacGillivray described the Vankleek Hill community.
