Elliott, Barbara Grace

It is with much sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother, Barbara Grace Elliott (Hyndman), on July 6, 2020, in her 92nd year. Predeceased by parents George and Bertha Hyndman, sister Margaret Brown and brother George Hyndman. Survived by daughter Kathy (Randy), sons Bob (Chris) and Larry, and granddaughters Leslie and Kate. Her warmth, strength, friendship, and indomitable spirit will be missed by family and friends. She will forever be in our hearts. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will take place at a later date to be determined. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the Seniors Life Enhancement Centre in Oakville.

Barbara was a very social woman with many friends. She was kind and caring to all and always eager to share a laugh, a smile and a helping hand. She was born and raised in Toronto before moving to Mississauga in the early ’50’s. She retired after many years with the Peel Board of Education Special Services Psychology. Barbara had a passion for serving people. For many years, she volunteered as a hospital Candy Striper with, what was then, the South Peel Hospital.

After retirement, Barbara opened an Antique Shop and Tea Room, “Pine Plus”, in Stayner, Ontario, where she took up the hobby of refinishing antique furniture and making custom mirrors from window frames of reclaimed Pine. Her Tea Room was a favourite stop for locals and tourists alike to enjoy a good cup of tea and fresh baked goods.

Although born in the City, Barbara was a country girl at heart, with many of the family’s happiest days spent at the family cottage on Wagner’s Lake. She learned the meaning of hard work at a young age, working on a Dairy farm in summer, managing the chores of the farm and helping an elderly couple who became like second family to her. This fortitude carried her through life. Barbara was a strong, beautiful, intelligent woman and fiercely independent. She was a hard worker with a smart business acumen and a caring, thoughtful mother, grandmother, sister and daughter.

Barbara was always engaged in life, passionate about staying active and never one to sit still. She spent winter months residing in Mesa, Arizona where she was a coordinating member of the Social Club in the Orchard community. An avid Euchre and Poker enthusiast, she also enjoyed playing golf, mountain hiking, swimming and lawn bowling, winning many local level championships. Barbara especially loved dancing. She would often say she would rather dance than eat, and she was fortunate to continue to enjoy ballroom dancing right into her 90’s, where she was a member of the YMCA and local seniors centre. Barbara also loved to travel, cruising to Panama, Alaska, Hawaii and Caribbean, among others. Bermuda was her favourite, where she travelled several times. Barbara left no stone unturned, enjoyed life to the fullest and was blessed with good fortune and exceptionally good health.

I am grateful for the lessons you taught me as your daughter: to be strong and independent, to be decent, kind and caring to all, to be a hard worker, and to appreciate the simple things in life. I will miss you terribly; our walks by the lake, listening to music, singing together in the car, and especially dancing. Mom you will always be remembered for your kind spirit – smiling and pleasant to the end. I am so very grateful for you, my mother. I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.