Obituary of Barbara Helen Reid

Barbara Helen Reid (nee Lohnes) was born in Halifax Nova Scotia on
July 17 th , 1929, the last born of three to Kenneth and Bessie Lohnes.
Being the last born, she worked hard at following her siblings into
whatever mischief might be on the agenda.

Following graduation from Queen Elizabeth High School she attended
Dalhousie University, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
It was a time, when very few women went to university, and mom was
blessed to be able to attend. However, while some courses came easily
to her, mathematics was not one of them, and she knew that if she was
going to pass her math classes she would need some “nerd” to help
her. Enter William George Reid, who was a whiz at math. He not only
got her through her math courses, but he became a regular visitor to
the Lohnes’ household.

Barb and Bill were married in 1953, and started out their life together
in Sydney N.S., where their first daughter, Debbie was born. From
there, they made a longer stop in Nashwaaksis, where Peggy and Lori
arrived, (and Debbie lost her status as the only child: though she always
bore the title of the eldest!) Finally, the family moved to Riverview
N.B.. I asked mom once what brought her the greatest joy, and she
replied “my children.” I know those children. I thought she had to be
kidding!

An avid bridge player, Brown Owl, toastmistress and faithful member
of St. Paul’s United Church and the UCW, her life was filled with many
joys. Hospitality was a gift she was given and one that she shared
regularly with guests on Blythwood Avenue and at the cottage in
Edgewater. Nothing seemed too much for her to undertake. She hated
flying and yet she persisted in travelling. She made lifelong friends,
and when you get to be 94 years old, that is a gift. Although she always
claimed to be no singer, she was wrong, and the last few years of her life were filledwith her singing, (in pitch, in time and with enthusiasm!).
It was a delight to witness her joy when she sang, and to join in.
But it was not just music that brought her joy. Her daughters, Debbie,
Peggy (Dennis Single) and Lori McKnight (Wayne) brought her endless
smiles, some tears, and at times great confusion but she soldiered on.
Two grandchildren, Chris (Bex) and Nikki also blessed mom’s life. Finlay,
her sole great grandchild became one more reason to smile.

Barb was predeceased by her husband Bill, her daughter Debbie, her
brother Eric, and her sister Mona. She was also predeceased by her
brother-in-law Ernie Walford, brother and sister in law Fraser and Janet
Reid, nephews Wayne and Russell Reid and niece Jane Walford.

She leaves Peggy and Lori, (and families) her sister-in-law Charlotte,
and some very beloved nephews and nieces to play “remember when”;
to laugh, to smile and to give thanks. A service of celebration will be
held at St. Paul’s United Church in Riverview, on Wednesday,
September 6 th at 11 am. It will be followed by lunch and then a private
interment at Alderwood Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made in
Barb’s honour to St. Paul’s.

“Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall
mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They
shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fergusons Riverview Funeral Centre, 214 Pine Glen Rd. Riverview, NB. 

www.fergusonsriverview.com