Obituary of Elissa Diane Barclay
Elissa Diane Barclay, 39, of Toronto passed away November 20, 2019 after a four-month struggle with a severe concussion and complications from PTSD.
She was born November 7, 1980 in Calgary, Alberta, the darling daughter of Scott and Dominique Barclay and beloved sister of Adèle Barclay.
Elissa was preceded in death by her grandparents Dave and Lorraine Barclay and her best friend Justin Gateman and leaves behind her parents, sister, dear friends Joanne Tang and Jacqueline Wright, uncle Jim Barclay, aunt Béatrice Michel, grandmother Huguette Marti, cousins, friends, chosen family, band mates, clients, collaborators, and anyone lucky enough to have encountered her truly bright and unique spirit.
Her relationship with her younger sister Adèle was characterized by sweetness, guidance, silliness, and protection. Elissa appointed herself Adèle’s own personal clown from a young age and the two sisters shared an intimate bond.
Elissa grew up in Calgary, Alberta and Georgetown, Ontario and attended Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School, which is where she began writing songs on the guitar as a creative outlet. At the University of Guelph, she earned a BA in Psychology, motivated by her keen desire to understand human behavior. Afterwards she moved to Toronto to pursue music, playing in many bands, such as Fidget, The Johnnys, Plastic Star, and her own eponymous project.
Known in the Toronto indie music community as Warrior Girl, Elissa was a champion of resilience with her buzzing electric guitar and growling voice. Elissa took her pain and the injustice of the world and channeled it into searing music.
In 2015 she released the grunge-rock album Glass & Wire. Recently she recorded songs for a second album entitled Tales of an Underground Compassion Clinic that will be produced by Brad Kilpatrick and released posthumously by her sister in 2020.
Elissa dedicated her entire life to music and healing through her live performances and songwriting, and palm reading, Reiki and psychotherapy practices. Her capacity for compassion was incredible and her sense of humour dazzling.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A funeral service will take place 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church in Toronto 151 Glenlake Ave, Toronto and will be followed by a reception at the same venue.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Elissa’s name has been set up for Girls Rock Camp Toronto, a not-for-profit organization that empowers girls and non-binary and trans youth through music and collaboration. www.gofundme.com/f/elissa-barclay-memorial-fund
2019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elissa Diane Barclay 2019..
Décès pour la Ville:Georgetown, Province: Ontario