Obituary of Barbara Silk

SILK, Mrs. Barbara Loreen

Died peacefully at North Lambton Lodge in Forest, Ontario 29 March 2023, days after reaching her 90th birthday, 24 Mar 1933.  Barb was born in Galt (Cambridge) Ontario to parents Irene Rice of Tillsonburg, Ontario and Floyd Sneath of Galt, Ontario. As a young girl she was raised primarily by her grandparents Royal & Pearl Sneath and after graduation first lived with her best friend Aunt Ruth in a small apartment. Barb first worked in a shoe store until securing full time employment at Gore Mutual Insurance Company. As a teenager, she met her future husband Ronald J Silk at a Brethren meeting where the Sneath and Silk families both attended. On 28 Oct 1955 Barb and Ron were married at the Kitchener, Ontario courthouse and shortly thereafter Ron joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. While raising 3 boys & 3 girls as a military spouse, Barb worked at various jobs that included a part time Avon sales lady in Clinton ON, a full time Secretary for Henderson Insurance in Winnipeg MB, and a full-time secretary for Caribou Sheet Metal & Plumbing in Moose Jaw SK. During their military service Barb was a devoted housewife and mother and the glue that kept a very busy household together during periods when Ron was often deployed on temporary duty around Canada and other countries around the world. Years later in 1985 after also living in Gander NFLD/Labrador and London ON, Barb & Ron moved to cottage country at Kettle Point on Lake Huron. Here Barb again secured employment at a vegetable processing plant near Thedford Ontario, then at Camp Ipperwash Cadet & Reserve training detachment as a Kitchen worker and a Mail clerk.  In 1997 Barb, Ron, and daughter Sharon fully retired and moved into their home in Forest ON. In retirement she became a long-time member of the Caring Quilters community group of Lambton Shores who made hundreds of quilts for the disadvantaged and various other causes. Barb was renowned for her knitted socks and for baking countless dozens of shortbread cookies at Christmas time for friends in the community. Throughout her life she loved to play cards, bowling, gardening, bird watching, and was an avid walker. As a legion member she thoroughly enjoyed attending the weekly meat draw with Ron & Sharon and socializing with Legion comrades. After her husband’s passing, Barb spent her last few years in long term care in Petrolia ON and then at North Lambton Lodge in Forest, Ontario.

Barb was predeceased by her parents Irene & Floyd Sneath and step father Clare St Clair, brothers Bobby & Leonard, and son-in-law Mike Deschamp. Barb is survived by eldest son Douglas of Lake Chapala Mexico, twins Barry (Sandra) of Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Brian (Kathy) of Meridian Idaho, eldest daughter Carolyn Deschamp of London, Ontario, Patti (Dave) of Hamilton, Ontario, and Sharon of North Lambton Lodge, Forest, Ontario. She is also survived and loved by 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Our mother, Barbara Loreen Silk, had an eternal light that shone brightly and a sense of positivity that lifted her children up during challenging times. Her family will miss her deeply.

In keeping with Barb’s wishes a private burial and family gathering will take place at Beechwood cemetery in Forest, Ontario, at a later date.  If desired, memorial contributions can be made by cheque to the Forest Legion Poppy Fund.  Funeral arrangements entrusted to DENNING’S OF FOREST.  Share a memory at www.forestfuneralhome.com