Judith Ellen Wood Bayne
December 9, 2022
Judith Ellen Wood Bayne (61) passed away peacefully on December 9th, 2022 at her home in Dartmouth, NS after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honour her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Judith was born in Truro, Nova Scotia to Jean and Kenneth Wood. Judith received a Bachelor’s degree from Acadia University, before going on to earn her Master’s in Public Health from Carleton University. She married the love of her life and best friend Charles Bayne in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and together they welcomed two wonderful daughters: Madeleine and Sarah of whom she couldn’t have been prouder. She was a dedicated, passionate public servant at both the provincial and federal level, making significant improvements to the Canadian healthcare system. Her efforts in public health helped drive these improvements, most notably through her contributions to the report for the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. She held a variety of senior positions within Health Canada and went on to be the Regional Director for the Public Health Agency of Canada where she was a loved and respected leader that left a lasting impact on her department and the healthcare provided to Nova Scotians, and Canadians more broadly.
Judith had a zest for life. She was highly creative and a true polyvalente — an expert seamstress, gardener, painter, cook, baker, and kombucha maker. Judith was supportive and caring, often mentoring colleagues in the workplace, providing English language tutoring for new immigrants to Nova Scotia, and sat on the board for Bryony House women’s shelter. She was an entrepreneur and founded her own company Simply Apothecary in 2016 to create natural, non-toxic, and effective skin care products. One of her favorite lines was “Don’t buy it…I can make it!”.
She will be deeply and forever missed by her loving partner of 41 years, Charles; children, Madeleine (Adam), and Sarah (Jacob); mother, Jean; brothers, Kevin (Heather), Mark, and Troy (Michelle); sisters, Mim (James), and Lorna and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues.
Judith was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Wood.
A private family celebration of life will take place later this year, however Judith asked that her friends and former colleagues celebrate her life as they please and consider raising a glass to her at a venue of their choice, or on her Facebook wall.
December 9 2022
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Judith Ellen Wood Bayne December 9 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia
Thanks Judith for your friendship and I’ll always remember you from our days at Health Canada, and meetings in Ottawa.
You made a difference and I’m proud of you.
To Charles and the family I’m sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace Judy