Eileen Frances Barclay 1930-2021
Eileen was born in Lequille, Nova Scotia in the beautiful Annapolis Valley. She was brought up in a large, loving family – she had six siblings – Corey, Kay, Marion, Frank, Edward and Linwood Junior (unfortunately only Edward and Linwood Jr. are still with us). Eileen was from a humble background but her parents, Linwood and Emily, brought her up in a Christian home that believed in the values of kindness and compassion. She lived out those values throughout her life. She experienced prejudice because of her humble background and saw the abuse that Afro-Canadians experienced in her community – these experiences caused her to reject all prejudice and racism.
She went to school in Annapolis Royal and made many friends – some of whom she kept in touch with throughout her life. Her father went away for five years during World War Two and she missed him in her teenage years. As a young woman, she went to Halifax to start a new life – she had many adventures there and met many new friends. It was in Halifax that she met her husband, Donald, who was in the Navy. It was also in Halifax that she gave birth to her only son, Randy. She loved being a Mom and was good at it. She was also a loving, maternal presence to her many nieces and nephews.
In 1970 she started a new life as she moved, with her husband and son, to Toronto. She worked at many jobs – her kind, warm presence helped her to make many friends at these jobs. She was very active in her church – the Church of St Bede Scarborough – and she was a faithful servant there, for nearly fifty years. She also said that her Church friends were like a second family. She took many trips over the years – to England and Scotland, Hawaii, Florida and her beloved Nova Scotia.
When her husband passed away(35 years ago) she had the strength to carry on – being a great friend to many and a great Mom. She loved her daughter law, Helen, and her grandchildren – Lisa (and Paul) , David (and Siobhan) and Stephen (and Soula). She was a great great-grandmother (GGma) to Jonathan, Aiblin, Faye and William. She loved the Blue jays and I am sure she is now somewhere cheering “Let’s Go Blue Jays.”
She lived a good, independent life up to a couple of weeks before her passing. She died at peace and had no regrets. She will be missed by those who were touched by her loving presence. In her own words “she is now at rest with her Lord.”
There will be a Memorial Service in the coming weeks. A donation, in Eileen’s honor, may be made to the Church of St. Bede, Scarborough, 79 Westbourne Ave. M1L 2Y6 or a charity of your choice.
Offer Condolence for the family of Eileen Frances Barclay 1930-2021
Heather Wright, Wayne Sumner, Nick and Nathan Sumner-Wright
Our family loved Eileen. Our sons, Nick and Nathan, knew Eileen as the senior Mom in the family, a loving, warm, sweet maternal presence at many of our family gatherings and celebrations. Even though we saw less of her in recent years, particularly since the pandemic, both Nick and Nathan express their love for Eileen and appreciation for her grandmotherly presence. When Nathan was born on Christmas day in 1995, the Christmas dinner was moved to Eileen’s home and 3-year-old Nick spent a wonderful Christmas with Eileen, Randy, Helen and the whole family. Eileen was welcoming and generous to all of us. We will miss her laugh and her great hugs. But we know she is at peace. Happily, before she made her final trip to the hospital, Eileen watched the Blue Jays beat the Yankees.
Carole Forde
My deepest sympathy to the family. I met Eileen one time when we went to a movie with Helen. We had a wonderful afternoon. I remember her warm personality and conversation flowed so easily.
May Eileen rest in peace
Harold Wright
Eileen was a gentle, warm and loving person. I always enjoyed her company and very sorry to know of her sudden death. We will always remember her beautiful smile with fondness.
Randy Barclay
Thanks Harold. My mom always asked about you and showed concern for your whole family. You hosted a lot of great celebrations she enjoyed.
Olive Howden
Elieen was my loving friend. She was encouraging, gentle and kind. She was also generous and motivating. She was a mother figure to me and guided me on many things. And she was often concerned about my children. There was not a time that she saw me that she did not ask me about my children or share about her grandchildren. Elieen loved St. Bede’s Church. She attended St. Bede’s and served on the church guild from the time she arrived in Toronto in the 1970’s. During the time I attended the church, she taught me how to do the church guild duties. I learned how to make crosses for Palm Sunday. We would shop together for setting up the Thanksgiving Alter. She bought the day by day (Monthly Anglican bible devotional) for anyone who was interested in reading it. She paid for and distributed them herself. It was her contribution to the church. She did not want the church to pay for them. She found the pandemic a lonely time and loved for me to drop in to see her. The last time I stopped in to see her, she told me her heart did a little jump. She was so happy to see somebody even though she had seen her son Randy earlier. Elieen will be missed.
Olive Howden
Randy Barclay
Thanks Olive for your kind words. You were a great friend and supported her in many, many ways. She always expressed to me how much she cared for you your family. She loved all the good times you shared with her at St Bedes.
Rick Kerfoot
Randy, we were saddened to hear about your mums passing. We remember her fondly.
Celebrate a life that was well lived and well loved.
Rick, Barb and Andrew Kerfoot
Randy Barclay
Thank you for your kind words. She always asked about all of you (particularly Nick and Nathan) and enjoyed all the family gatherings that you guys hosted.
Dianne & Brian Nowe
Aunt Eileen has always been there for us in our many times together, through thick and thin. We kept in touch by phone mostly and she always remembered us on special occasions. She was a lady I admired and was always stylishly dressed. We shared so many good times and good laughs over the years and showed such appreciation for her home province of Nova Scotia that it made us appreciate it more! She was the Aunt I turned to for advice and comfort over the years and am missing her so much. When we visited we felt so much at home because she welcomed us as Nova Scotians so capably do!
Our condolences to you Randy, Helen and your family. Brian and I will always be here should you need us, perhaps when this pandemic is behind us.
May Aunt Eileen Rest in Peace, your work is now over.
Love, Dianne & Brian
Melissa Nowe
My sincere condolences to Randy, Helen and family. I feel very blessed to have had the influence of my Great Aunt Eileen as I was growing up – ever present despite the distance between the provinces. She simply was that – great. An independent woman who carried herself with dignity and grace. A lady admired by all who knew her and someone who spread kindness effortlessly wherever she went. My Aunt Eileen lived a life of remarkable faith and there is no doubt that Heaven has gained a very special Angel. As we struggle and miss Aunt Eileen, we remember the love she shared with all of us lucky enough to be a part of her family. I think of her often and always with gratitude. Much love, Melissa xxoo