Obituary of Barbra Collison

COLLISON, Barbra (née Campbell) – Peacefully at Laurier Manor, Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at the age of 85 years.  Beloved wife of the late William “Bill”.  Loving mother of Laslie Collison-Tidd (Eric), Shelley Coughlan (Todd) and Ann-Marie Collison (Harvey). Proud grandmother of Eric and Hunter Tidd; Nick and Ashley Francoeur; Megan and Shawn Brownsey.

 

Born in Fairview, Nova Scotia on August 12, 1938. Courted by the love of her life at a dance in Halifax, Nova Scotia then on the seventeenth day wedding bells chimed on September 14, 1957.

 

It did not take long before the first addition to the family was announced. Laslie welcomed mom on November 24, 1958, while dad was at sea and met his first bundle of joy three months later.

 

Shortly after, they bought a parcel of land in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia and build their first home. Their second bundle of joy, Shelley, come sooner than expected on April, 11, 1962. Then on March 22, 1966 their last daughter, Ann-Marie, arrived into this loving family.

 

This prompted a move to Ontario, a career change for dad, and more adventures for the family.

 

Our home was always an open door to friends and family with a magic pot that had an endless bottom and delicious baked goods for all to enjoy such as her best ever butter tarts, cookies and cakes. Mom was always generous when it came to food and you always received an extra scoop whether you wanted it or not.

 

Mom had a great knack for taking nothing or scraps of anything and turning it into something wonderful. Our Barbie dolls were the best dressed in the latest fashions and even sometimes matched our outfits.

 

She was an avid card player of Crib, Hearts and 45s and she was always looking over other’s shoulders and would say “are you going to play that card?”  Music, dancing and laughter were a constant in our home.

 

When the kids left the nest, Geneviere was her first fur grand baby taking her daughters place in both love and consumption of food.

 

Then the grandchildren come along between 1986 to 1996 with four grandsons and two grand-daughters. Mom’s heart grew ten times larger and her magic pot expanded too.

 

Her celebration of life was the love of her family.

 

A Family Service has been held.  Special thank you to the staff at Laurier Manor for their kind and compassion care.  In memory of Barbra, donations to the Ottawa Humane Society would be appreciated.