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Barbara (MacMillan) Peach

Barbara (MacMillan)  Peach

Born In: East Lake Ainslie
Born: May 23rd, 1932

Passed on: July 4th, 2016

It is with broken hearts that our extended family announces the passing of Barbara (MacMillan) Peach, the beloved wife of LeRoy Peach on July 4, 2016.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sister, Joan (MacMillan) Chisholm, Milton, Ont. and her brother, John MacMillan, Burlington, Ont.; brother-in-law, George Chisholm; nephews, Kevin and Yvonne Chisholm, Reverend Ian (Jane) MacMillan, Robert and Douglas MacMillan and niece, Brenda (MacMillan) Petite; as well as grand nieces and nephews on the Peach and MacMillan sides.
She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Robert and her sisters-in-law, Nancy (Wyles) MacMillan and Martha (Fraser) MacMillan.
Barbara was born in East Lake Ainslie, May 23, 1932, the daughter of John Eddy and Mary Belle (Cameron) MacMillan.
Barbara graduated in nursing from the Glace Bay General Hospital in 1953. It was there that she found her life’s vocation and she excelled at it. In every way, she was a wonderful nurse. She had a very wide experience in the operating room. She served at such places as the Inverness Hospital and the Victoria General in Halifax, as well as at Niagara Falls and Panoka, Alta. In the States, she was an OR nurse for 10 years at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and the New England Deaconess in Boston. She was known especially for her organizational ability. She later moved on to Milwaukee and Sacramento. In 1969, she returned to Canada and worked at Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Hospital where she was a team leader in the operating room. In Toronto, as well, she was hired by Humber College to mentor students from across Canada in operating room procedures.
Barbara was always upgrading. In 1979, she graduated from the University of Toronto with her degree in nursing.
Barbara and LeRoy met in Toronto and married in 1980. Over the years, she tolerated his love of the Toronto Maple Leafs and attended games with him only on the promise that he wouldn’t leave at the end of the first period. They spent many wonderful Christmases and summers at her mother, Mary Belle’s, farm at Lake Ainslie and never ceased to marvel at the beauty and peacefulness of the landscape and the culture of the area. When they retired together in 1989, Barbara embraced life in her chosen village of Port Morien, becoming the village nurse, giving injections, especially to the elderly. She was very active for several years at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, especially in the Guild and on the parish council. She was a member of the Port Morien Community Fair Committee for 28 years, the Port Morien Development Association and the Royal Canadian Legion. She was, in fact, a tireless worker in the vineyard and in a community where she was well loved.
Much can be said about her character. She married in her late 40s. She was therefore able to cultivate an independent spirit, borne in part of her Scottish roots. One could say that she had a good Scottish temperament. For example, Barbara knew where she began and where she left off. She was a woman of deep faith all her life, never wavering in her Christian beliefs. She always looked for opportunities to give things to others, to serve. For example, in the Port Morien community she headed up the Heart and Stroke campaign for 11 years. Having lived on a farm, she loved animals, especially cats and mourned deeply the loss of them.
All of her life she was conscious of the importance of protecting the environment. For example, she was a strict recycler. As well, she had a keen sense of justice, refusing to purchase items that marginalized workers elsewhere.
Though our hearts are broken by her decline and at her leaving we give thanks to God for her character, especially her compassion. Barbara is now in the Everlasting Arms where no pain, no anxiety may touch her. Those of us who are left behind will grieve, at the same time as we continue to honour her memory, giving thanks for having her for such a long time.
A special thank-you to the wonderful staff on 3 South at the Glace Bay Hospital, to Kim Martell her caregiver and friend, whom she loved dearly; to Doctors Diaz and MacLachlan and to Reverend Vernon Reid.
There will be no wake. The funeral is under the direction of Patten’s in Glace Bay. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Port Morien, Thursday at 2 p.m., the Reverend Vernon Reid officiating. Refreshments will be served after the service.
Donations accepted in Barbara’s memory at a charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be sent to the family www.pattenfuneral.com.


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John D. Steele’s & Sons LTD. Monument Manufacturers
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