Industry mourns the loss of Joanne Mackenzie

The trucking industry is mourning the loss of Joanne Mackenzie, the driving force behind Trucking for a Cure, who passed away last week after a long illness. Known for her resilience and compassion, Mackenzie devoted her life and career to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer, inspiring the trucking community to unite for a greater cause.

“Life is bigger than cancer, and we need to beat this,” Mackenzie told Trucknews.com as she flagged off the 10th annual Trucking for a Cure convoy in Woodstock, Ont., in 2019. Taking over the convoy in 2009, she transformed the event, along with her friend Laura Horner, into a cherished gathering that raised critical funds for cancer research, combining her professional life as a company driver with this important advocacy work.

Mackenzie’s trucking career began in the moving industry before joining Highland Transport, where she worked until its closure. She then moved to Sharp Transportation, her final employer before illness took her off the road.

Beyond her role as a driver, she contributed to various industry events and organizations. She served as an event planner for Big Rig Truck Nationals, drove guest speakers to the stage for Toronto Transportation Club’s Women’s Luncheon events, and was a member of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada (WTFC).

Her influence extended across the border as a legacy member of the U.S.-based Women in Trucking association. Mackenzie also served on Trucking HR Canada’s advisory council, where she worked to advance opportunities for women in trucking, and was actively involved in the Salute to Women in Trucking at the Truck World show.

First female Highway Star

In 2016, Mackenzie was recognized as the first woman to receive Today’s Trucking’s Highway Star of the Year award.

This recognition celebrated her spotless safety record and dedication as both a professional driver and community advocate. Even then, she used the award as a chance to advocate for women in trucking. “I hope now that we’ve got that one foot in the man’s club…more women will come forward and feel comfortable to participate in stuff like this…Women need to know they can do whatever they want,” she said eight years ago.

Shelley Walker, CEO of WTFC and Mackenzie’s close friend, described her as an “incredible human being” and remembered how Mackenzie showed up in a critical moment of her life when her husband died in an accident at Sharp Transportation yard .

“Joanne was a driver there, as well as my really good friend. It was Joanne that I was talking to on the phone [who] helped me stay put together until some of my family got to me. That’s the type of person Joanne was … It didn’t matter what was going on in her own life, if you needed her, she was there.”

Walker highlighted Mackenzie’s humor and positivity, which often lifted those around her. A fan of Pink’s song Hustle, Mackenzie would quote the song’s lyrics to Walker, using its themes of resilience and defiance to offer encouragement.

“The industry will miss your dedication“

“Joanne was an incredible human being all-around,” Walker reflected. “Trucking was her life, helping people was her life, especially in the cancer area … [the absence of] her presence is going to be deeply felt, not just within the driving population and the community, but also from a lot of executive leaders.”

Walker is right — the industry is indeed feeling her absence. From drivers to executives, many have shared tributes online.

Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada, wrote, “Thank you, Joanne, for the incredible mark you’ve left on our industry. You will be greatly missed.”

Jessica Kapasky of TruckRight shared, “I will miss your sass, I will miss our long talks. The industry will miss your dedication. The world will miss your presence. You were one in a million. Your legacy will live on.”

In its tribute, Trucking for a Cure wrote, “We don’t know what happens to Trucking for a Cure from here, but we can tell you one thing, it will not be forgotten! Rest in Peace Joanne, job well done.”