Glenys Marie Barker

GLENYS MARIE BARKER, MStJ

In loving memory of GLENYS MARIE BARKER, who passed away on Thursday 27 August 2026 at the age of 81.

Beloved wife of Lawrence Barker, together for 43 years.

Loving mother of the late Christopher Barker-Tonge, and Sarah Osgoode (Stephen).

Cherished grandmother (Gran) of Alexan Marie, Hayley, Penny, Tyler, and Simon.

Predeceased by her parents Ernest Roberts and Glenys Roberts (nee Jones) of Wales.

Sister of Heather Roberts (Anna Balaban), Gwyn Roberts (Ilinos), Linda Ellis (Aled), the late Hilary Williams, John W. Redburn (Lise), Court Redburn (Deborah), Adele Hazlitt (William), Mary Ellen Goucher (David), and Christopher Redburn.

Pet-parent to her faithful service dog Draigo for over seven years.

She was lovingly known as “Momma Marie” to many of Chris’ and Sarah’s friends and beyond. Her residence on Squires Beach in Pickering, and later with Larry on Hettersley Drive in Ajax, were a first choice for gatherings, and a second home to many.

She will be profoundly missed by her many family members and friends in Canada, Wales, and England.

Marie completed her academic studies growing up in Wales and was destined for university. She instead started an extensive career working for Barclays Bank PLC in the UK rising from a cashier in a local branch to becoming the supervisor of a computer department at the Wythenshawe Data Centre before emigrating to Canada in 1973 with her first husband, Peter Tonge, and her sewing machine in hand.

She worked for several different employers over her years in Canada including real estate, medical and surgical offices, medical computer software, and a travel medical insurance company.

A person of deep personal faith, she was a member of St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Burnt River. It was at church in Ajax where she met her husband, Lawrence.

Marie was an avid darts player, both with the Ajax Ladies’ Darts League and the Royal Canadian Legion. She was a prolific reader as well as a painter and calligrapher in her leisure time. As a skilled and gifted seamstress for her entire life, Marie eventually developed her own business as a dressmaker specially designing custom wedding dresses. Brides travelled from great distances for Marie to make their dress. She loved to knit and crochet in her retirement.

Marie was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 40 years together with its Ladies’ Auxiliary on whose executive committee she served as secretary. A dedicated volunteer in the community as well as with her church, she was a branch treasurer and then a branch chair with the St. John Ambulance organisation for many years. For her outstanding service, she was admitted as a member of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem by H.M. The Queen in 1992.

The family extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Eric Stutz, her family physician for many years, together with specialists Dr. R. Gary Sibbald, and Dr. Eric Horlick. The family also acknowledges the excellent care she received at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay following her accident, and the ICU staff at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre to which she was transferred and at which she eventually passed. She was surrounded by her husband Lawrence, daughter Sarah, and her service dog Draigo at the end of her journey.

Friends may call from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday 10 September 2026 at the McEachnie Funeral Home, 28 Old Kingston Road, Ajax ON. Visitation continues from 12:00 to 1:00pm on Friday 11 September 2026. Service in the chapel at 1:00pm. Internment at Pine Ridge Memorial Gardens in Ajax at 2:00pm. Reception following from 3:00pm to 5:00pm and a Celebration of Life from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Ajax branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

For those living in the Kawarthas who are unable to travel to Ajax, a Celebration of Life reception will be held from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at the Coboconk branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

A huge animal lover and pet-parent her entire life, in-lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes would be appreciated by the family. Donations may be made through their website at https://hskl.ca/, or in-person or by mail to: Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, 107 McLaughlin Road, Lindsay ON K9V 6K5.