Obituary of Barbara Adelaide Aitken
Our beautiful mother passed away the morning of May 20, 2021, after a short battle with COVID-19.
Barbara was a dedicated mother, grandmother, wife, and friend.
She was born in 1924, the 3rd child and 1st daughter, to Gordon and Ethel Bell in Vancouver. Coming from a huge extended family, Mom had a sublime childhood. She played the piano, discovered her math gene, excelled in sports and spent every summer on Bowen Island. She grew up in the Depression and came of age during a world war so she was always very clear on what was important and what really didn’t matter.
At 26, she met our father, Bruce Aitken, on a blind date to Niagara Falls in the back of a Volkswagon Beetle on a cold March day. She fell instantly in love and they were married 6 months later. Their early lives were adventurous, living in Vancouver, Manila, Thornhill and finally settling in 1963 in Don Mills. There they raised a loud and diverse family of 5 daughters and 1 son. Barbara was a busy mom, an active volunteer and a favourite confessor for many of our childhood friends. All of that never changed.
As their children left the nest, our parents relocated to a condo in Don Mills. Dad very sadly passed away in 1987, leaving our mom to reimagine life as a solo empty nester. She embraced tennis and badminton, and together with friends, became an adventurous world traveller, exploring Africa, Australia, China, South America, the Arctic, and Europe.
In her senior years, Barbara was a beloved companion to her close friends, her children and her most precious grandchildren. Clearheaded to the end, she never lost her love for reading, time at the cottage, doing the right thing, and eating well. All those around her, neighbours, the condo staff, PSWs, and everyone she met appreciated the sparkle in her eyes, her outstretched hands and her ready smile. Our “Bahbala” loved her family and she loved her life.
We want to thank the amazing care providers who ensured her final days and moments were at home and comfortable. Because of their stunning support we were able to honour her enduring wish to stay in her home until she was taken out “on a slab.” We’ve felt lucky to have Ontario healthcare so we know our mother would endorse any remembrance made in her honour to the Canadian Red Cross Appeal to Support the COVID-19 Response in India, or her favourite causes, The Toronto Public Library, The TSO, The United Way, or Operation Smile.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband Bruce Stanley Aitken, and is survived by her children, Andrea Aitken (Gerry Estrada), Kelley Aitken, Spencer Aitken (Lynn Salituro), Daryl (Deedee) Aitken, Kathryn Aitken (Bill Taylor), Lesley Aitken (Darren Shin), and her grandchildren Tallulah Shin and Grady Shin. We will away until we can all be together to celebrate her life.
Wild Abandon Mom
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