Obituary

Barbara Anne Mearns passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in her 84th year, after living with Alzheimer’s the past several years. Barb was the fourth child born to Scottish immigrants, James and Flora (Urquhart) Mearns on July 28th 1940 in Scarborough, Ontario. She was a lifetime employee of Toronto Hydro where she retired in the mid 1980’s. Although she spent most of her life in Scarborough, Barb moved to Mount Forest in 2019 to be closer to her life long friends. Barb loved her hobbies of sewing, crocheting, and needle point, often making treasured personal items for family and friends. Barbara very much enjoyed singing and travelling, which made her commitment and dedication to the Scarborough Sweet Adeline’s Choir very understandable. She was also very involved with St. Paul’s United Church in Scarborough and enjoyed being part of their choir. Another passion of Barb’s was cheering for her beloved Toronto, Maple Leaf’s and Blue Jays. Although she never actively participated in many sports herself, she had no problem in telling you who she was cheering for or what they needed to do to improve. Barb will be fondly remembered by her brother Ian of Moncton New Brunswick, and as a special aunt to sister Elizabeth’s son Stuart Halket and also Ian’s children; Karen (Gary) Thibodeau, Stephen Mearns, Maureen (Gordon) Anderson. She will also be sadly missed by her great nieces and nephews. Barb was a very special friend to Joan & Gerald Buhrow of Clifford, and will forever remain Auntie Bubbles to their children; Rick (Darlene) Hill, Steve (Jenn) Hill, Debbie (Dan) McMullen and Dan (Tracy) Hill. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, sister-in-law Catherine Mearns, sister Elizabeth (Betty) Halket, brother-in-law Vince Halket, infant brother James, and nephew Stephen’s wife Dana. Barbara’s family would like to thank the staffs at Birmingham Residence, Royal Terrance and most recently, Strathcona Long Term Care for their assistance in caring for Barbara. Also, to the nursing staff at both Palmerston and Louise Marshall hospitals these past couple years. The funeral service was held at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston, on Friday, December 22, 2023 at 11:00am, with visitation one hour prior. Interment is scheduled for Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, the Palmerston & District Hospital Foundation MRI Campaign or to Charity of your choice would be appreciated as an expression of your sympathy. Online condolences at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com