May 20, 1934 – December 6, 2024
She taught us to choose happy, to take care of one another, and to love.
Helen Kathleen Barber (nee Barton) is predeceased by her parents Robert and Kathleen Barton (nee Snider), husband Donald Lorne of 39 years, sisters Sandra and Francis Jean, and granddaughter Jennifer Ann Lois.
Mom is survived by her sister Roberta, children Susan and Rick Smith (Loring, ON), Steven and Cindy (Sandy’s Bermuda), Ken and Kim (Little Britain, ON), Tamara and Jim Johnston (Argyle, MB); grandchildren Michael (Brooke), Derek (Kristen), Lindsay (Justin), Sarah (Luqman), Terry, Samantha (Jon), Marty (Gillian), Charlotte, Olive, Thomas, and Robert; great grandchildren Jackson, Macy, Brooklyn, Logan, Isa, Minerva, Lincoln, and Alison.
Mom will be remembered for her kind, loving, and loyal spirit, her can do attitude, and her positive outlook on life.
Mom was born on Sunday, May 20, 1934, the second of four daughters in New Toronto, ON. Growing up she loved to help in the garden and kitchen and spent Saturday mornings polishing sleigh bells for her Dad’s horses. She married Don, who worked with her Dad at Booth Brick, at age 20 and together they had four children of their own. They lived in Richmond Hill, ON, and on weekends loved spending time with extended family and at their farm in Parry Sound, ON. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. She made everyone feel welcome and loved. Mom worked hard both in and out of the house – because if you were going to do something you should do it to the best of your ability.
Mom began working when she was 14. She had many different jobs including Silks, Continental Inn, Oxford Picture Fames, Inglis, Dylex, Imperial Press, and Christies. She was even an extra in movies and in a music video while living in Pickering, ON.
Mom spent time sewing and knitting, and she loved to bake. She was known for her pies, butter tarts, and cinnamon buns. She loved to travel and ventured across Canada by train, and to Europe on several occasions. She cruised with her sister Roberta to Panama, spent time with her dear friend Irene in Florida, and on one trip to Bermuda at age 78, she participated in the Bermuda Triangle Challenge, an annual race weekend where she walked 10km. To prepare for the event she trained and increased her distance to walking 7 miles a day before the race. In 2013 Mom also participated with family in a Winnipeg Fire and Police Services race weekend (5km).
Mom was always involved in our lives – whether she was attending hockey games, figure skating competitions, school plays and Christmas concerts, or graduation ceremonies, she was always present. In 2023 she even traveled to PEI to attend the Canada Winter Games to watch her granddaughter compete. If she couldn’t be with us she would send a tea bag by mail and ask us to call when we got it to share a cup of tea over the phone. She baked our favourite cookies and squares when we came home or mailed them to us at Christmas if we weren’t able to be together.
She was game for anything and volunteered at the Tall Ships in Bermuda, vacation Bible school in Stonewall, MB, Aush Bik Koong Bible Camp in northern Ontario and supported Hope Awaits Ministries – Homeless Shelter for Men in North Bay.
Mom loved Bible study with her friends, their shared birthday gatherings and Sunday lunches after church.
Mom couldn’t sit still and was often teased about having ants in her pants. She was fiercely independent and stayed in her own home until she was 89 and a half. Mom did minor home renovations on her own including the wainscoting that is in her living and dining room. She did an impressive job. She loved to go, go, go and drove herself everywhere right up until that time, including driving from North Bay to Toronto and back in the same day if she needed to pick someone up at the airport. When she did relax it was usually with a nice cup of tea and a cookie or two.
At the age of 28 Mom came to know Jesus as her personal Saviour through Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.
Mom spent her final days at Stonewall Regional Health Centre where she was exceptionally well cared for by a number of nurses, health care aids, and Dr. Zahiri. Special thanks to all those we met during that last week. Your kindness and compassion to our family will long be remembered. We were overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and greatly appreciate the care you gave and all you did to make our Mom comfortable.
We are comforted in knowing she is now resting in the arms of her loving Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ. Rest easy, sweet Mom. We love you and miss you, and we look forward to the day we are together again.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 11, 2025 in North Bay at Bethel Gospel Chapel, 781 Tackaberry Dr. Viewing to commence at 10 to 11:30am, followed by a service at noon. Lunch immediately following.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Aush Bik Koong Bible Camp, Bethel Gospel Chapel (North Bay) or Hope Awaits Ministries – Homeless Shelter for Men (North Bay).