Barlow, Barbara, (nee Hudecki)

Oskee wee wee! One to never give up a fight, and after a lengthy illness that would rival any gridiron battle, Barbara passed into the arms of Jesus from the loving arms of her husband Ross on May 2nd. She was 74 and married for over 50 years. Ross was her best friend, her confidante, caregiver, and truly the love of her life. Barbara was also a remarkable mother and loved by her 7 children: Ross, Trevor, Sean, Kevin, Karen, Leigh Anne, and Matthew. With open arms she also loved the in-laws: Melanie, Debra, and Brian, as well as the other special people in the family: Joe, Jordan, Teelah, and Sherri. “Grandma B” gave countless hugs to her 14 grandchildren: Mitchell, Jack, Emily, Valerie, Owen, Will, Joshua, Lola Rose, Violet, Isobel, Olivia, Scarlet, Ronan, and baby Alexandra. A kind and giving sister to Judy, Leon, Dennis, and Margaret, and the daughter of the late Leon and Rose Hudecki, Barbara grew up in Hamilton where she attended Cathedral High School before graduating from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1963. She continued to study at U of T before returning as Head Nurse in the Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton. Barbara then turned her work focus and devoted 29 years in raising her children. After her kids took on lives of their own, Barbara worked for 15 years as a Cancer Information Specialist for the Canadian Cancer Society. She also served as a volunteer for St. Ann’s in Ancaster and found a true passion in the RCIA program, sponsoring a number of new Catholics along the way. Barbara fought and did her best not to let her disease break her spirit. She battled M.S.A. (Multiple Systems Atrophy) for over 8 years and would like to express her gratitude to all those who joined the fight along the way. Too many names to mention, this includes the workers from St. Peters, and St. Joseph’s Healthcare, The Meadows and the many PSW’s who cared for her at home. She was loved and surrounded by professional care until her very last breath. Barbara loved life and lived it to its fullest. She put others before herself and was loved by many; in fact she was loved by all! Barbara’s smile and spirit will continue to live through many of us – Tigers, eat’em raw!

“ Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine. And you know that I've always loved you for your beauty and your wisdom.” - love, Ross
Leonard Cohen



Visitation at the P.X. DERMODY FUNERAL HOME, 796 Upper Gage Ave., on Friday, May 5, 2017 from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 3:30 p.m.. Barbara’s Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann’s Church, 11 Wilson Street West, Ancaster, on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. The family would gratefully appreciate memorial donations for M.S.A. Research made through Parkinson Canada (www.parkinson.ca)
www.dermodys.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Louise Barlow (Hudecki), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.