Barbara Elizabeth (Mackay) Flood

Barbara Flood
November 27, 1952 - October 8, 2022

Barbara passed away peacefully in her 70th year surrounded by family. Barb will be remembered by a smile that would light up a room. She was ever so patient with her four children and would always encourage them to try new things even if that meant she would spend endless hours at music lessons, recitals, arenas, track meets, and ball diamonds. Never one to complain, her positive, optimistic energy passed on to all around her. Most of all, the love that Barb and Ralph had for one another was evident through a lifetime of shared laughs and loving respect.

Loving wife of 50 years of Ralph, and mother to Christy (Phil), Matthew (Linsay), Robert (Valery), and Carrie. Cherished grandmother to Audrey, Henry, Wyatt and Weston. Sister to John Mackay (Susan Schlaepfer), Eleanor McIntosh (Bill), Ruth Buchner (Paul), Nancy Creedon (Larry), and Joyce Rolph (Perry), and sister-in-law to John Hazeleger, Jim Hutchinson, Irene Garner, Sharon Riddle, Bill Flood (Janet), Joyce Smith, Ken Flood (Joanne), and Paul Flood (John Wegman), and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Willard and Mary Mackay, her dear sister Jane Forster, and brothers-in-law Al Garner, Clark Riddle, and Maurice Smith.

Barbara grew up on a dairy farm near Embro, Ontario. She was quick to help out on the farm, spending many hours doing chores or picking stones in the fields. She was active in Junior Farmers and a young square-dancing partner caught her eye at 16 - they’ve been together ever since.

Barbara and Ralph were married in 1972 and eventually settled on the 9th Line just down the road from the farm where she grew up. Their home had plenty of space for Barb to pursue her passion for gardening and over the years she took great care in maintaining her ever-expanding flower beds. She took great pride in her gardens and was quick to offer up plants or flowers to visiting friends and family.

Barbara may have denied she had a competitive spirit, but she enjoyed her curling wins at the Ingersoll Curling Club where she was a member for over 35 years. She competed at the zone and regional levels and traveled to bonspiels across Ontario and beyond. She served on the Board and was President of the club for a year. Off the ice, it was the lifelong friendships she made through curling that she enjoyed most about the sport.

In later life, Barb and Ralph traveled often and saw many parts of the world. They spent time in Asia (Indonesia and China), Europe (England, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany), and Central/South America (Peru, Nicaragua). They also enjoyed many Caribbean resort vacations, often traveling with Barb’s sisters and brothers-in-law. Especially on their resort vacations, Barb would often be the first on the dance floor.

The family would like to thank the great care Barb received from the VON, the Alzheimer’s Society of Oxford County, Alliance Family Health Organization, the Palliative Care team at WGH, as well as Barb’s family doctor and nursing team. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made in Barb’s memory to VON Oxford or the Alzheimer’s Society.

Friends are invited to meet with the family at the Brock and Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock on Thursday, October 13th, 2022 from 2:00p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The memorial service will be held in the chapel on Friday, October 14th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

Personal online condolences at www.brockandvisser.com