Barbara O'Halloran

O'HALLORAN, Barbara

(November 28, 1926 – February 27, 2021) -

Peacefully on February 27, 2021, at home with her children by her side, Barbara O’Halloran, our “Queen Bee”. Beloved wife of the late Gordon O’Halloran (2001), and proud mother of David (Heather), Norm and Susan. She was a loving Nana to Donovan (Raquel), Patrick (Ana), Erin (Nick) and Kellie (Colin), and Great-Nana to Dermot, Maeve, Alastair and Ewan. Barb was predeceased by her siblings Allan Tomlinson, Dorothy Herbert, and Patricia Fennessy, and will be truly missed by her brother-in-law Denis Fennessy.

Born in Toronto, Barbara lived on her own after high school, at a time when it wasn’t typical, and worked in a bank, for CN and finally for Bell, where she met a handsome telephone repairman. Gordon later told her that he delayed proposing as he worried she was ‘too independent’ to want to get married. She wasn’t, and they were happily married for 50 years. As the children arrived, Barb and Gord moved to North Etobicoke where they made a home for the next 67 years.

She was a wonderful wife and mother, and she always found time to give back to the community—helping to start a Cub Scout pack, canvassing for charities, volunteering at the hospital.

After the kids were grown, they travelled to Europe, the UK and down to Florida. They bought a mobile home in Dunedin, and they loved every minute they spent down there. It was a very special time for them.

She was thrilled to be a grandparent, and they happily attended classroom events, sports days, plays, graduations and everything in between. After her darling Gordon died, she was determined to stay in the family home with the glorious garden they worked on together. And so she did.

Barb made great friends and was a great friend. Her neighbours were a support network before the term existed. She loved her sisters and brought all the families together at every opportunity. As her children grew, she got to know their friends too, and so the circle continued to grow.

She was smart and funny. She was a tidy soul who cleaned closets when she was upset. She enjoyed people and met the world with a smile. She was a wonderful mother and a lovely person. She departed this world simply and quietly, just as she planned. We all loved her very much.

Cremation has occurred. We will have a Celebration of Life at some time in the future, but we encourage you to celebrate Barbara—and life—every day. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to some of her favourite charities, including: Covenant House Toronto ( http://covenanthousetoronto.ca/ ), Second Harvest (https://secondharvest.ca/ ), World Vision Canada (https://www.worldvision.ca/ ) and Yonge Street Mission (https://www.ysm.ca/ ). Online condolences at newediukfuneralhome.com