RETA GRACE BARRIE (MACTAVISH)

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RETA GRACE BARRIE (nee MACTAVISH) February 6, 1925 - January 3, 2013 Reta passed away unexpectedly from respiratory complications at Victoria General Hospital with her daughter Janice Yon, and her grandson and his wife, Rene-Michel, and Amanda Yon at her side. Reta was predeceased by her husband James (Jim) Barrie, and her daughter Mary-Ann Maurice, and was the last of eight siblings. Left to mourn her loss are Janice Yon, Rene-Michel and Amanda Yon; her sisters-in-law, Shirley MacTavish (Floyd's widow), Margaret MacTavish (Doug's widow), Helen Barrie (Clarence Barrie's widow); her brothers-in-law, John Barrie, and Bill Barrie, and numerous extended family and friends. Reta grew up in the village of Lanark, near Perth, Ontario, the second youngest of eight children. When she was living and working as a nursing aid in the hospital she met her husband of 61 years at a dance. He was so smitten that he declared to his friends that night that she was the woman he would marry. They were married January 15, 1947. Reta loved to travel and meet new people, and it was a good thing she did because as a military family there was lots of moving. Reta traveled for pleasure from coast to coast in Canada, extensively into the U.S., including a tour to Tennessee with Jim for their 45th anniversary. She also went on a cruise to the Caribbean and on a British Isle / European tour. These were the journeys that she most reminisced over many years later. When they retired from military life and settled in Perth, Reta enjoyed volunteering. She was very involved in the Anglican Church Women's Guild, in the Perth Legion, Meals on Wheels, and visiting the seniors in Lanark Lodge. After moving to Winnipeg she volunteered for a number of years at Darwin School where she was popular with the staff, particularly for her home baked goodies. She was also a volunteer at the XIII Pan Am Games where she was on the early morning team that worked at the University of Manitoba. For many years Reta played darts at the Fort Garry Branch 90 Legion, and bowled at the Fort Garry Lanes. Over the last few years, Reta went to bingo at the legion, and to Glee Club at the Fort Rouge Rec. and Leisure Center. At home, she was an avid golf and curling fan and spent time on the computer playing games and corresponding via email. Reta was wonderful at keeping in touch with those she met through her life, and enjoyed sending and receiving cards, letters, emails and phone calls. She had an honest interest in others and it was amazing how she remembered and celebrated important events in their lives. She will be missed. Thank you to the homecare workers who supported Reta over the last few years, a special thanks to Jamie, Eunice, and Leanne. Thanks to the doctors, nurses, and support staff at the Victoria General Hospital in emergency and on the 4th floor for the care she received from them during her last days. Special thank you to Dr. R. Hayward, our family physician who's care and diligence saw Reta through many medical emergencies over the last 25 years. To honour Reta's wishes, her body has been donated to the University of Manitoba Medical Department. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or CancerCare Manitoba. A memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 19, 2013, at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 933 Summerside Ave. Fort Garry, Winnipeg, MB.
Publish Date: Jan 11, 2013

RETA GRACE BARRIE (nee MACTAVISH) February 6, 1925 - January 3, 2013 Reta passed away unexpectedly from respiratory complications at Victoria General Hospital with her daughter Janice Yon, and her grandson and his wife, Rene-Michel, and Amanda Yon at her side. Reta was predeceased by her husband James (Jim) Barrie, and her daughter Mary-Ann Maurice, and was the last of eight siblings. Left to mourn her loss are Janice Yon, Rene-Michel and Amanda Yon; her sisters-in-law, Shirley MacTavish (Floyd's widow), Margaret MacTavish (Doug's widow), Helen Barrie (Clarence Barrie's widow); her brothers-in-law, John Barrie, and Bill Barrie, and numerous extended family and friends. Reta grew up in the village of Lanark, near Perth, Ontario, the second youngest of eight children. When she was living and working as a nursing aid in the hospital she met her husband of 61 years at a dance. He was so smitten that he declared to his friends that night that she was the woman he would marry. They were married January 15, 1947. Reta loved to travel and meet new people, and it was a good thing she did because as a military family there was lots of moving. Reta traveled for pleasure from coast to coast in Canada, extensively into the U.S., including a tour to Tennessee with Jim for their 45th anniversary. She also went on a cruise to the Caribbean and on a British Isle / European tour. These were the journeys that she most reminisced over many years later. When they retired from military life and settled in Perth, Reta enjoyed volunteering. She was very involved in the Anglican Church Women's Guild, in the Perth Legion, Meals on Wheels, and visiting the seniors in Lanark Lodge. After moving to Winnipeg she volunteered for a number of years at Darwin School where she was popular with the staff, particularly for her home baked goodies. She was also a volunteer at the XIII Pan Am Games where she was on the early morning team that worked at the University of Manitoba. For many years Reta played darts at the Fort Garry Branch 90 Legion, and bowled at the Fort Garry Lanes. Over the last few years, Reta went to bingo at the legion, and to Glee Club at the Fort Rouge Rec. and Leisure Center. At home, she was an avid golf and curling fan and spent time on the computer playing games and corresponding via email. Reta was wonderful at keeping in touch with those she met through her life, and enjoyed sending and receiving cards, letters, emails and phone calls. She had an honest interest in others and it was amazing how she remembered and celebrated important events in their lives. She will be missed. Thank you to the homecare workers who supported Reta over the last few years, a special thanks to Jamie, Eunice, and Leanne. Thanks to the doctors, nurses, and support staff at the Victoria General Hospital in emergency and on the 4th floor for the care she received from them during her last days. Special thank you to Dr. R. Hayward, our family physician who's care and diligence saw Reta through many medical emergencies over the last 25 years. To honour Reta's wishes, her body has been donated to the University of Manitoba Medical Department. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or CancerCare Manitoba. A memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 19, 2013, at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 933 Summerside Ave. Fort Garry, Winnipeg, MB.
Publish Date: Jan 11, 2013

RETA GRACE BARRIE (nee MACTAVISH) February 6, 1925 - January 3, 2013 Reta passed away with Janice, Rene, and Amanda at her side Thursday, January 3, 2013 after a short illness. Full obituary to follow.
Publish Date: Jan 5, 2013
Publish Date: Jan 11, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2013