Barbara passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her children, Daniel, Diane (Michael) Gillis and Jim (Barbara). Lovingly known as Nana Babs, Nana Darling and “Great” Nana, Barbara was so proud of her grandchildren, Max Gillis (Krystal), Kate Wright (Philip), Spencer Gillis (Daniella) and Taïgan Coffey and great-grandchildren, Claire and Tyson Gillis and Charlie Wright. Her greatest pleasure was received spending time with her family, friends, volunteering, and travelling the world. She worked for many years with the homeless in downtown Toronto and Victoria. Barbara was an inspiring model for a life well-lived and will be missed by many.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
A Celebration of Life will be held in Ontario when appropriate guidelines allow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice or; St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON; Doctors without Borders; BC Cancer Agency or Victoria Hospice, Victoria, BC. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
26 Responses
Diane and family
Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. Remembering all the wonderful times we celebrated.
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Peter
Di/Mike and family – so sorry to hear of your loss , I wanted to pass along my condolences and thoughts. Fond memories of the Kingsway always felt welcome !! Happy to hear that Barb was able to be out west with her family – John ( Peach )
Diane I remember your Mom as the elegant lady of the Kingsway. So kind and always dressed to the nines.
My condolences to you all
Heather Carroll
Our Lady of Sorrows School
Dear Barb family Barb and I shared an adventurous summer at the Banff Springs Hotel. Barb was a
Parlor Maid and I was a Chambermaid. She always looked adorable in a fancy outfit while I was in an ill fitting dress carrying a cleaning bucket with me. We did keep in touch in Montreal but the move to
Toronto, young families and distance caused us to lose touch. But I do often recall her sweet smile,
calm nature and her friendliness. And yes, I will always smile when remembering her.
In my thoughts and prayers.
My sincere condolences to Barb’s family.
We all have great memories of the times we spent with her. She told me I was the first person to say hi to her at the Clarendon. We met in the garage and became close friends. She came to Bayfield with mutual friends to visit me and we all went to the Barn to visit her. We’d share her speciality, awesome appetizers, and white wine. Great conversations were had at dinner tables about current events, travel, friends, family, and Barb was always planning an adventure or had just returned from one.
Barb was a dedicated dog person. But she learned to like a cat when she looked after mine. She was truly amazed when SP insisted on sitting on her lap. Barb rose to the occasion at SP’s persistence.
Barb made life fun. She enjoyed people and was always quick to help. She’d pick me up at the airport on returning from a business trip. She even shared her home with friends of mine who were visiting with their first baby.
Like you, I miss her smile, warmth and great stories.
Diane, Mike and the Coffey/Gillis clan,
Sending Love from all of the White Oak Sullivan’s. Remembering Barb from very early days as a generous soul and all round awesome lady! Kathy, Ian, Trish and Lisa and our own dear Barb…still with us. We suspect Murray and your Barb will be raising a glass in heaven with a chuckle for a job well done 🙂
Dear Di,
Your mom was a lifesaver for sure! I certainly know that she saved mine many times. She took me in when I was a lost soul and treated me like family, just as you cared for me as a sister. I have so many warm memories of Barb as if it were yesterday. Sitting in the kitchen at Colwood with a glass of wine and laughs. Lots of kitchens and good food. She was so smart and beautiful in every way. I admired the close relationship that you shared with your mom. And I’m full of gratitude for having the opportunity to know her as my adopted mom for a time. I’ve lost the thread I have with you but I would love to catch up on missed time. I’m so happy your Barb was able to stick around to get to know grandchildren. Wow! My love to you and Mike and your big gang there. xo Kath Sully.
Barb Coffey was an oasis of calm at the ‘416’ women’s drop-in-centre in downtown Toronto.
She was a tremendous support to her friend Joy Reid and the Friends of
Shopping Bag Ladies. In the middle of all the chaos she always had the smile
that you see in this picture.
Dianne and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Pat and Maureen Walsh
I remember Barbara from her time in Montreal. Her husband was a fraternity brother of my husband’s. She was a talented pianist. She will be missed by her family and friends. I have not seen Barbara for many years.