Barbara Ann Laitin (nee Crawford)

In her 91st year, with her family by her side, Barbara died after a short illness. An accomplished pianist, Barbara will always be remembered for her passion for music. Music was her touchstone. Her grade school teacher also instructed her in piano, helping her achieve grade 7 theory and grade 8 in practical. She loved to sing in the school and church choirs. She also delighted in all aspects of farm life. As a child growing up on her family farm, she preferred to be outdoors, helping with chores as well as playing baseball, horseshoes, climbing silos, participating in 4H as well as getting into just a little bit of mischief. There is one story about their farm-based Piper Cub aircraft being started up before the instructor arrived…

Barbara is predeceased by her husband Donald whom she married in 1954. The pair were joyful ballroom dancers, lighting up the floor at every chance. While Barbara’s diminutive frame made her float on the dance floor, she was mighty enough to help run the farm. She drove a school bus along winding country roads in all sorts of weather, attentive to all of the kids whom she witnessed grow through the years. Barbara was an avid gardener, a seamstress, and also dabbled in woodworking.

Barbara travelled extensively with Donald, and was glad to experience diverse cultures. She supported her husband in his projects through the Religious Society of Friends–Quakers, the pair spending a year at Olney Friends School supporting the school community. Barbara and Donald travelled to Thailand in support of C.E.S.O., the Canadian Executive Service Organization, and also offered support to a Toronto Literacy program by donating the use of a farm field for growing beans.

Barbara was also a staunch supporter of the Toronto Blue Jays, rarely missing a game.

She is predeceased by her brother, Jim, her grandson Francis, and survived by her sisters Donna Rubeck, and Myrna-Joyce Struebin, her children Ann, John, Suzanne, grandchildren Duncan, Connor and Samuel and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held at a future date.

We would like to thank the palliative medical teams at Brampton Civic Hospital for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, kindly send donations to Musicounts (musicounts.ca). This group provides musical instruments to in-need schools.