Barbara passed away on Monday, 13 April, 2026. after a short hospitalization. She was a longtime resident in Pembroke and had only recently moved to Ottawa. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 2010. She is mourned by her daughter Paula (Angus) Brown, her granddaughter Christine (Jiro) Shirota and her three great-grandchildren Callum, Emmet and Rowan.
Barbara last summer celebrated her 100th birthday, capping a varied life. A native of Yorkshire, England, she was a member of the British Auxiliary Territorial Service, then became one of the many war brides who came to Canada with a small child in 1946. In subsequent years she followed her military spouse, Captain William Earl, RCAMC to points as varied as Kingston, Winnipeg, Borden, Edmonton, Sherbrooke, Valcartier, Petawawa and West Germany before settling in Pembroke. There she was active at the Seniors’ Centre and was known for her watercolour painting, participation in drama nights and taught crafts.
The family will receive condolences from 11:00am on Saturday April 25, 2026 at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre. A funeral service will begin at 1:00pm in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre with interment to follow in the National Military Cemetery.
If so desired, memorial donations may be directed to the Renfrew and County SPCA.
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