Eleanor Barr
Feb 1940 to Sep 2022
Eleanor Barr passed away peacefully in Kensington Gardens Long Term Care in Toronto, Ontario on September 24, 2022 with family at her side.
Eleanor leaves her two daughters, Allison and Catherine, sons-in-law Joel Parkes and Mustafa Ozcan, three grandchildren – Madeleine, Emily and Hakan Barr – and brother, Ken. Eleanor was predeceased by her loving husband, Dennis (Denny), and is now reunited with him.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Eleanor led a dynamic life filled with adventures, travel and novel experiences. Eleanor was vivacious, full of life and mischief, easily catching the eye of her beloved Denny. Together they raised their 2 girls in Edmonton.
Later when Dennis fell ill, she became the main provider and caregiver for her family. With her entrepreneurial flair, she became a top real estate agent, helping many people find or build their dream homes. And when she retired, she did so with gusto, travelling the world and fully engaging with life.
Eleanor will be missed by her family, former colleagues, and many friends. She is remembered for her tireless energy, wicked sense of humour and deep love for her daughters and grandchildren.
A celebration of Eleanor’s life will be held on Saturday, October 8th at 2 pm at Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation (NUUC), 310 Danforth Ave, Toronto. Please come to reminisce, celebrate, support each other and, of course, just chat.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Kensington Health Foundation who provided excellent care for Eleanor.
Deborah de Lange
My condolences to the Barr family as they survive the loss of a beautiful, vivacious entrepreneur, lady, mother, and grandmother, Elenor Barr. Although I only know Allison and did not meet Elenor, I can feel the energy and bright light of Elenor from her happy photo. I know she will be greatly missed and wish the family strength as they heal through this difficult time.
Siobhan
Thinking of you and your family Allison. Eleanor was a tenacious and loving mother , a great mentor an friend to many.
Xo Siobhan
Maxine Manny Perra (cousin)
Condolences to Eleanor’s family at this sad time. May she Rest In Peace as she is united once again with her beloved Denny ❤️
Shelley
Sending my deepest condolences. RIP Eleanor.
Maia MacNiven
To Allison and family, we are so sorry for your loss. I remember a lovely birthday party for your Mom when she was at the retirement home. She really enjoyed the music and festivities. We all want to send our condolences to you and your family, and to Catherine and her family too. Much love Maia, Gordon, and family.
Valerie Tokaryk (Wood) (Cousin to Eleanor)
Our condolences to Eleanor Barr’s family. May she be at peace . From
Eleanor Cadwell Wood’s family. (Cousin)
Valerie Wood Tokaryk, Bill Tokaryk, Amber &Brett Parker , Jaclyn Tokaryk & Eric Bishell.
Eden Rockett
Eleanor was such a trooper. I can still remember how much fun Allison, Eleanor and I had one winter when we decided to make our way up to Allison’s cottage. We arrived at night to a lot of snow and no running water or heat. Eleanor was not discouraged. Somehow, we managed to figure out how to split wood, turn on the water (no easy feat) and get the wood stove cranked up high. For Eleanor, she saw it all as one big adventure and loved every moment of it. I will miss Eleanor and her love of the outdoors and enjoying what ever came next. Namaste.
Lee Jenkinson
My condolences for all that are grieving the loss of Eleanor Barr. This generous, loving woman helped shape me into the person I am today.
John Collins
Condolences to Eleanor Barrs’s Daughters Allison and Catherine and grandchildren from the Family of her maternal side cousin Alma Marie Collins. Their mothers were sisters. (Annie May Johnson & Alma Ruth Oudil)
Eleanor Barr was a neat lady that my mother Alma through out her life cared about. Although we hadn’t seen her since Aunt Annie’s Funeral in September 2002.
Sadly it seems from the photographs and information we have that Eleanor was struck with the same illness that her Mom suffered with.
Rest In Peace Cousin Eleanor. Peace be with the Family.
John Collins
Condolences to Eleanor Barrs’s Daughters Allison and Catherine and grandchildren from the Family of her maternal side cousin Alma Marie Collins. Their mothers were sisters. (Annie May Johnson & Alma Ruth Oudil)
Eleanor Barr was a neat lady that my mother Alma through out her life cared about. Although we hadn’t seen her since Aunt Annie’s Funeral in September 2002.
Sadly it seems from the photographs and information we have that Eleanor was struck with the same illness that her Mom suffered with.
Rest In Peace Cousin Eleanor. Peace be with the Family.
Gérard Ulíbarri
Condolences to the Barr family, and to me.
MomE, I used to call her after she adopted me as her surrogate Mexican son, after all Eleanor and Denny only had two wonderful girls; Allison and Catherine, my Canadian sisters.
A wonderful, wonderful woman! She was o YES, SHE WAS!.
Always helping people, and even if they did not need the help, she will provide aid, just because.
That is how wonderful she was.
A fighter all her life, helping her mother, helping Denny´s parents until the end, even when he could no longer be present.
Looking after her children and grandchildren as long as her body and mind allowed her.
My heart goes to Eleanor´s Allison and Catherine, may they find strength and remember the loving mother we all had.
MomE, God is waiting for you in Heaven, chop-chop! as you used to tell me…
Joy Senack
My deepest sympathies to Alison, Catherine, their children and other family and friends of Eleanor.
I knew Eleanor mainly through the many stories recounted by Alison. The tales of Eleanor were always hilarious and touching. She was one of a kind, and a loving, generous person.
In 2000, Eleanor welcomed me into her Edmonton home on a Alison-Joy road trip that included the World Athletic’s Games. True to form, Eleanor left us the house and car keys and was off on a trip.
Eleanor cared deeply for people she called family. I remember her one visit to my home in the middle of a cold and snowy Ottawa winter. It was all about checking up on Gerardo, a dear family friend. She arrived at my door from somewhere warmer via Toronto. No winter boots. No warm coat. She was there for him, to help him, anyway she could, on his journey to become a new Canadian and follow his life dreams.
We could all use more friends like Eleanor. We’ll miss her big heart and desire to live life bigger.
Ellen Yachnin
The entire Barr family is in my thoughts. Eleanor was an amazing spirit and over the years our paths crossed a number of times from Thanksgiving at my home in Toronto to a number of birthday parties. Truly, there will never be another like her.
Susan P (friend of Allison)
Allison and the Barr family – thinking of you at this sad time. I never met Eleanor, but it sounds like she was a vivacious and interesting woman. My heartfelt condolences.
Christopher Nowlin
My sincerest condolences. I will always remember Eleanor for her generosity, intellect, wit, energy and compassion. When I was a young student for a semester at the University of Alberta, she put me up in one of the rooms of her home and did all she could to make me feel welcome, loved and ‘at home.’ I will never forget the generosity and care she gave to me during that time.