Obituary of Barbara Ann Bridges Barnett
Barbara Barnett died peacefully at the Claremont Retirement Residence on November 30, 2022. She was 98 years old. She was born March 30, 1924 in Toronto to Dr. McClellan Allen and Elaine Bridges. Barbara attended Whitney public school and Bishop Strachan School before graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in Home Economics. Her childhood was blessed with summer stays at Camp Tanamakoon in Algonquin Park, where she made lifelong friends.
A talented and beautiful actress, Barbara’s love of the stage began at Hart House and lasted her entire life as a member of the Alumni Theatre, the Dominion Drama Festival and the Mount Royal Players. Her role as Dora Mavor Moore’s executive assistant precipitated a life changing event. At a party at Ms Moore’s, Victor Barnett, an RCAF WWII navigator told a friend on seeing Barbara for the first time that she was the girl he would marry. He proved prescient, and despite multiple rival suitors, the couple married in 1951.
Victor’s bourgeoning career as a forensic accountant at Clarkson Gordon saw him take Barbara and their four children to Montreal in 1963, where they had a fifth child in 1965. They joined the Curling Club in the Town of Mount Royal and attended St. Peter’s Anglican Church, but Barbara’s five children were the focus of her long life. Barbara and Victor lived in Montreal for 15 wonderful years, returning to Toronto in 1978, where they settled in Moore Park. Barbara spent many hours volunteering in charities such as Out of the Cold and The Food Bank. She also put her skills as an actress to charitable use by recording books for the blind at the CNIB for more than 20 years. Victor died in January 2013 and Barbara moved to the Claremont 18 months later.
The family wish to thank the caring and energetic staff at the Claremont for attending to Barbara’s needs throughout her 90’s. Sadly, Barbara’s eldest daughter Joyce died November 29, 2021 from cancer. Barbara is survived by Joyce’s wife Alison, children Peter (Anna), Linda (Ian), Judy, and Tom (Ingrid), nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A funeral will be held at Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street, Toronto on Saturday December 10th at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
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