Barbara Johanna (Smits) MacDonald
Born: December 26th, 2016
Passed on: December 5th, 1957
It is with heavy hearts that we express our loss for our dear mother, grandmother, sister and daughter, Barbara MacDonald who passed from this world tragically in a house fire Monday, December 26, 2016.
On December 5, 1957, Barbara Johanna Smits was born to Gradus and Rhodena (MacDonald) Smits who were living in Huntington at the time.
In 1963 they moved to Prime Brook and Barbara later attended Riverview High School. Shortly after her grade twelve year, she moved to Thunder Bay and married Louis MacDonald from The Pier in 1977.
They had three children, Krysta (Aaron Campbell-Watts), Sydney, Gordon (Ashley Campbell), Sydney and Leah Carberry (Paul), Corner Brook, NL. She was the very proud and loving grandmother of Michael Matheson, Karter and Kaelyn MacDonald, and Dana Carberry. Barbara will be sadly missed by her mother, Rhodena Smits of the Cove Guest Home; brother, Graham MacLean (Catherine), Owen Sound, Ont. and sister, Patricia Sutherland (Darrell), Glace Bay. Also left to grieve is her boyfriend, Aubrey Lewis and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Besides her father, Gradus Smits, she was predeceased by her husband, Louis MacDonald after 36 years of marriage.
Barbara was employed at the Holiday Inn on the Esplanade, Sydney and also ran her own business called Good Time Karaoke and DJ, where she could be found every Saturday night at the Westmount Legion. She was a volunteer for Cape Breton Ground Search and Rescue, as well as St. John Ambulance. She was well known for her beautiful crafts and cross-stitch work. The family would like to thank all the firefighters, especially the team who risked their lives to rescue her. Thank you to the EMT attendants who worked so hard to revive her and also to the staff of the Holiday Inn who have provided special accommodations for our out of town relatives. Barbara was always thankful for the love, friendship, smiles and laughter you gave her over the years and we know she would like you to remember her without tears in your eyes, but a light in your heart.
Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Saturday 10 a.m., with Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara would be honored if you made a contribution to a local charity of your own choosing.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
