Barbara was born in Picton on August 9, 1939 and passed away on February 19, 2021,
the day of her choosing, with David by her side. She was the daughter of the late Lorne
and Marian (McKee) Johnston. Since her father was in education, she spent her early
years in Springbrook, New Hamburg, Hanover and Midland before heading off to the
University of Toronto to study psychology.
In September of 1957, Barbara was struck by a runaway car at the corner of Bloor and
Avenue Road which resulted in a major head injury. The odds of full recovery were low.
But through courage and determination, she recovered losing only her year and the sense
of taste and smell. She went back to the University of Toronto and graduated with honours
before entering the mental health field.
Barbara met David in Midland before they both went on to university. They were married on
September 8, 1962 by Dr ABB Moore of Victoria College who, with his wife, so kindly cared
for the family at the time of the accident. While David was completing his studies, Barbara
worked as a research assistant and a social worker in Toronto mental hospitals.
Barbara and David moved to Peterborough in late 1964 when David accepted an engineering
position with General Electric. Over the next five years, Kathryn, Bruce and Tim were born.
During the early years in Peterborough, Barbara took up canoe tripping with David. They
explored the lakes north of the city and in Algonquin Park. In 1972, they started building their
cottage on Lake of Bays. This became a special place for all the family: where the grandchildren
learned to swim, where Grandma shared her love of reading and where Barbara became
Grandma Bread by teaching the grandchildren breadmaking.
In the mid 1980s, their restored Dispro, Little Miss, was ready for adventure. Georgian Bay
trips were typically 7 – 10 days from somewhere between Snug Harbour and Killarney. They
were affectionately known as misery trips because the boats were open and subject to the
sun and rain.
As the children became older, Barbara was drawn back into the mental health field. She was
a member of the steering committee that created Telecare Peterborough and became the first
training director and then director. She was involved for 35 years. In the late 1980s, she
became Peterborough CMHA’s first executive director. Awareness training and community
support programs were of special interest to Barbara, including suicide survivors. In the early
1990s, she set up her own consulting business and began training programs and workshops in
suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention for professionals and community volunteers.
By the early 2000s, both Barbara and David had retired and were able to spend more time
at the cottage and Los Cabos Mexico in the winter. For 12 years, they drove down enjoying
many diversions on the way. Barbara was a constant note taker so she journaled her many
adventures and shared them widely.
Barbara’s faith has always been a part of her. She was a member of Northminster then Grace
United Churches. She believed in the power of healing prayer and was an early Healing Pathways
practitioner. It was her faith that helped her deal with chronic migraines and more recently a stroke.
Barbara was a loving partner to husband David Moffat, a nurturing mother to daughter Kathryn
(Terry) Cumming and sons Bruce (Nicole Hambleton) and Tim (Lisa Wickerson) Moffat, and an
awesome grandmother to Emma and Sarah Cumming, Merida and Faith Moffat, and Ryan
and Reid Moffat.
Barbara used the gift of time to unselfishly touch many lives. Her kindness, determination, and
faith lives on in the hearts of her family.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held when circumstances permit.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara would appreciate a donation to the charity of your choice.
To write memories and condolences, use www.ashburnhamfuneral.ca
Read Less
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barbara Moffat Friday February 19th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Peterborough, Province: Ontario