The Corstorphine Kindergarten head teacher said that ever since she left secondary school, all she wanted to do was teach preschoolers.
Her first application for teacher training was turned down, and she ended up working office jobs and having her own family instead.
But nearly two decades later, a coincidence reignited her desire to teach preschoolers.
''I was working at Bonus Bonds and a colleague said she wanted to train as a kindy teacher.
''So I went and got some application forms for us both and we filled them out.
''By that stage, I had more life skills which made me more appealing as a kindy teacher.''
And at age 40, Ms Mackie began living her dream by teaching at Brockville Kindergarten. Better late than never, she said.
''It's seeing the children, valuing them, and helping them get on with their life and education.
''I love seeing them grow intellectually and physically.''
For the past 18 years, she has been teaching at Corstorphine Kindergarten, where she has become a close member of every family in the community.
''This place has been both challenging and rewarding - the community up here have always been so supportive.''
But after 26 years, the 66-year-old has decided to call it a day.
Staff and children at the kindergarten celebrated her retirement yesterday with a morning tea and chocolate-egg hunt.
''I've got to the stage where I'm teaching the grandkids of kids in one particular family I taught at Brockville. Anything is possible.
''I'm ready to do something else in my life now. Yes, I will be sad to go, but when one door closes, another opens.''
Corstorphine Kindergarten president Hayley Bryan said the staff and children would miss her ''terribly''.
''Her bubbly personality, her willingness to help with anything, her positive attitude - she has been just exceptional all round.''
Ms Mackie said she planned to travel with her partner and spend more time with her granddaughter, ''and probably lie in bed a little longer on winter mornings''.
''But I will come back as a reliever. It's not the kind of job where you just say 'see you later, I'm off'.''
