Barbara “Barb”‘s Obituary
MCKEIL, Barbara Marie “Barb” ~ Age 86, Meadowvale, Annapolis Co. Early on July 25, 2022, Barb went to play her first game of golf in heaven. Surrounded by her family’s love and her favourite music playing in the background, Barb left this world with a heart that was full of love and gratitude for her long and full life. Barb’s story began on July 29, 1935, when she was born in Spryfield, Nova Scotia, to the late Dennis and Dorothy (Turner) Mosher. She was the third of five children and spent the majority of her growing up years living in Gatez Brook on Nova Scotia’s eastern shore. Predeceased by her three brothers, Dennis, Charles and Robert, Barb will be greatly missed by her sister, Kathleen (Harrison) of Ferintosh, Alberta.
As a young girl, Barb had a special relationship with her father preferring to be outdoors with him, whether it be hunting, fishing or doing any kind of handiwork. She was much more comfortable with a hammer in her hand than a broom or dust rag. Barb left home at an early age to begin working at the former Simpsons Sears in Halifax. Shortly after she met the love of her life and husband-to-be Douglas “Doug”.
Barb and Doug were married on June 14, 1957, and left for Winnipeg, Manitoba with everything they owned in the backseat of their car. Eight years later they returned to Nova Scotia with their three children, Linda (Rick) Ramsay, Centreville; Ross (Jill), Meadowvale; and Debbie (Dan) Brown, Kingston. Over the next 57 years, their family grew to include eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Grammie will be greatly missed by Neil, Colin, Jeff (Tara), Teanne (Lance), Kegan (Reagan), Sydnie, Jessica (Nathan), Olivia, Felix, Wyatt, Cale, Emery, Ellyn, Clementine, Prudence and Holly. Barb was predeceased by grandson, Cody. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews. Barb was a true matriarch and was happiest when surrounded by her family. Her love was endless and unconditional.
Barb was first diagnosed with cancer in 1993. Over the next 29 years, she fought a long and courageous battle against many health issues including further diagnosis of cancer, heart disease and stroke. It was her love of life, love of family and her strong spirit and determination that sustained her during all these years. Barb loved sports and played many team and individual competitive sports. She was a member of the 1956 Provincial Women’s Softball team, 1971 Maritime Bowling Team, winner of numerous curling bonspiels in western Nova Scotia and a three-time winner of the Powder Puff Derby at Meadowvale Racetrack. Barb’s greatest success though was as a golfer. During her golfing career she qualified for the Nova Scotia Ladies Amateur Team three times, the Nova Scotia Ladies Senior Team nine times, was a two-time Nova Scotia Ladies Senior Champion and twice won the Mother-Daughter Provincial Championship with her daughter Linda. She was proud to have represented Nova Scotia at a Canadian Golf Championship in every province in Canada. At her home course of Paragon Golf and Country Club, Barb won 23 Ladies Club Championships. Barb was well known and recognized across the province for her sporting achievements.
Barb continued to love the outdoors throughout her life. She always kept a tidy house, provided delicious meals and kept her cookie jar full; however, her happiest times were when she was driving one of her two favourite vehicles – her golf cart on the golf course or her ride-on-mower in the yard. Barb lived her life to the fullest. Music was a big part of her life. Leading sing songs, playing the spoons and filling a room with her fun and carefree personality were just some of the reasons people came to love Barb. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her love of life and her kind, genuine and humble ways.
Barb’s long life was not without the care and support of so many. Thank you first to Dr. Amanda Smith. You are truly an angel. Special thanks to the caregivers from Senior Care by Angels and VON. Barb truly enjoyed your kind, caring and cheerful visits each day. Finally, thank you to the doctors and nurses at Soldiers Memorial Hospital. Your professional, loving and kind care of Barb in her final days were a huge support to her family. Like her mother, Barb never liked to say good-bye, preferring instead to say, “So long”. She never missed waving out her front window when family left after a visit and always smiled when we waved back and tooted our horns as we left.
Cremation has taken place and a private family graveside service will be held in North Kingston Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Judith Saunders officiating. A Celebration of Life for Barb will be held at Paragon Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, August 6, 2022, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Please come join Barb’s family to say “so long”, share stories, reminisce and celebrate her wonderful life. Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to Breast Cancer Society of Canada or Valley Regional Hospital Foundation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, toll free 1-855-825-3448. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barbara Barb Marie McKeil 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Middleton, Province: Nova Scotia