A Celebration Of Life: Barbara McKenna
MCKENNA, Barbara (nee Schultz)
Barbara’s story began on March 26th, 1938; the third child of the late Chester and Marguerite Schultz. She was born in Puslinch and lived there until she married the love of her life, Ken, in 1961. Barbara and Ken (yes, we know, Barbie & Ken) bought their pride and joy, a bungalow on Millgrove Side Road and have lived there for 57 years. And then life got really interesting when along came Darlene (Gary) and Mark. When her two grandchildren, Candace (Ryan) and Scott (Melissa) were born, she regularly had them over for sleepovers, picnics, drives in the car, sewing lessons on her fancy sewing machine, and some line dancing that provided some good laughs. Over the last 2 years, Barbara’s great grandson Mason became the sparkle of her eye. She was in awe of this little guy and would light up at the mention of him.
If you needed to find Barbara, she could be found picking apples in an orchard or weeding in a field, and later on she worked in an office. She was quite the worker; she never really stopped. If volunteering was an occupation, well that was hers. Barbara volunteered as a 4-H leader for 50 years, Brownie & Guide leader, church bazaar organizer, sewing diapers for Haiti, and so many others we just can’t keep track of. Barbara’s lifelong passion was sewing… she sewed and sewed and sewed some more. She has made countless beautiful wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, men’s suits, quilts, dresses upon dresses, pencil cases, snowboarding bags, air conditioner covers – you name it, Barbara sewed it; no job was too big or too small.
Then in January, Barbara was told her cancer had returned. More often than not, you could find Pat Haskell and Nancy Mills by her side. She loved the constant parade of friends and family bringing love and kindness through their home.
On April 3rd, 2018, Barbara passed away peacefully in her sleep with Darlene lying close and Berniece and Ken nearby. Sadly missed by her brothers and sisters: Cecil (Vera), Gord (Shirley), Lloyd (Janet), and Berniece; gone but not forgotten are Marion, Frances, and Dave. Loved dearly by the McKenna clan: Marie, Niece, Mag, Nell, Jack, Pat (Gerry), Joan (Glen), Joe (Donna), Joyce, Jim, Bob, Shirley, and Gerald; gone but not forgotten are Tom, Anna May, Ray, Ed, Joe, Mike, and Karl. Affectionately remembered by Helen McKenna and Mac McIsaac, Faye Schultz, and Dori McKenna, as well as her many, many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the wonderful nurses of St. Joseph’s Home Care, and the PSWs of Saint Elizabeth Home Health Care. Cremation has taken place. Please drop in to the Waterdown Legion, Branch 551, 79 Hamilton St. N. between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday April 14th to gather and celebrate Barbara’s life with friends, family and the Puslinch Fiddle Orchestra.
If desired, and in lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory to 4-H Ontario or Joseph Brant Hospital Oncology Department would be appreciated by the family.
