Barbara Joyce (nee Franklin) Ellis of Meaford passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Meaford Hospital at the age of 68.
Born April 4, 1954 in Meaford, the eldest daughter of four children to Joyce and the late Doug Franklin.
She is survived by her family – loving husband David Ellis and her daughters Ginny (Jim Downer) of Meaford and Lesley (Brad Edmed) of Flesherton, and was the extremely proud ‘Grandma’ of Fisher, Jimmy, and Maddigan.
Barb spent her career at the Bank of Montreal for over forty years where she was loved by her customers and co-workers for her caring and knowledgeable service. ‘She was not only a co-worker; she was our rock!’
Barb and Dave started travelling to Cuba in 1997, more than twenty-five years ago. This is where she found her great passion for helping the Cuban people. For many years she held sold-out fish fry dinners to raise money for projects that significantly helped Cuban families. Barb’s legacy can be found in villages across the Cuban countryside with hundreds of families who have been impacted by her dedication and tireless efforts to improve their daily lives. Many people in Cuba will mourn her passing.
In the spring of 2022, Barb became upsettingly ill and eventually was diagnosed with cancer, which seemed so unlikely for such an avid walker. Barb’s vibrant and active life was tragically cut short by this terrible disease.
Barb’s family wants to thank the caring staff at the Meaford Hospital for providing exceptional care over the past few months. “To know Barb is to love Barb”, as her family says. A funeral service will be held at the Church of Christ in Meaford on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 11 o’clock. Barb’s family will visit with friends prior to service in the fellowship hall at the church from 9 until 11 a.m.
As your expression of sympathy and in Barb’s honour, donations may be made to the Meaford Hospital Foundation or the Cuba Mission of the Church of Christ (cheques only please) through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
