Barbara Ruth Morris (nee Crooker)

“Barb”, age 77, died unexpectedly, but peacefully at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Orillia Ontario. 

She is predeceased by her mother Jessie Ford (nee Thorpe), father Stanley Crooker, and sister Catherine Bonnis. She is also predeceased by Joseph “Joe” Ford and Cynthia “Cindy” Crooker to whom her mother and father were respectively remarried. 

In addition, she is predeceased by Keith “Mac” Smith to whom she was married and had her two children and Richard “Rick” During who adopted her children at a young age. 

Barb is survived by her husband David “Dai” whose pleasure it was to have shared a 37 year long love story, navigating the ups and downs of life together. 

She is also survived by her two daughters Melissa “Missy” During (Leon) and Rebecca “Becky” Harbridge (Greg), sources of great pride and joy. She is survived by her only grandchild, Caius Harbridge, whom she deeply loved and cherished. Barb was affectionately known as Bubbie to Caius, a pet name only privileged to him, demonstrating the unique bond they shared. 

Barb is also survived by her brothers Darryl (Irma) and Brad (Wendy) Ford, nephew Brendan and nieces Brittainy, Blair, Sadie, Jillian and Connie, as well as partners/spouses and children. Loved dearly and also survived by her three pets: dachshund Charlie and her two love birds. 

While she had many relatives and extended family, Barb chose to surround herself with a small circle of individuals. This included Gareth Morris, Dai’s only brother and Nancy Garnett who she affectionately referred to as her third daughter “JJ”. Also included, and she was grateful for, her supportive close friends and neighbours. 

Barb was a pillar of strength. She was social, smart and spiritual woman whose quirkiness, quick wit and sense of humour was understood by most.

Determined, inclusive, dependable, integrity and strength are words that described her character well. She always gave people the benefit of the doubt and described herself as one “who stuck up for the underdog”. Putting herself last and others first was what Barb always did. 

She was immensely proud of her two children, who each pursued careers in helping professions—one in social work and the other in nursing. Their commitment to serving others reflected one of her deepest values: compassion for the vulnerable. Seeing them live out this legacy was one of her greatest sources of joy and fulfillment. 

In terms of her own career, Barb was a graduate of both Fanshawe College and the O.P.I Service Education program. She held many roles in the hospitality and beauty industries, including hair stylist, esthetician, nail technician, cook, waitress, and head cashier. She loved serving others and interacting with people, bringing passion and enthusiasm to every job she held. 

She loved animals, having many dogs throughout her life for show and for pets. Both domestic and wild birds, especially osprey, made her happy.

She was thoughtful, kind and generous with her time and gifts. She was a gifted seamstress, a talented soft doll maker, quilter, knitter (especially wool socks), crocheter and loved paper crafts and card making. 

Barb was a capable cook and baker. Sweet or savory, Barb could make it all! Making gourmet meals, canning, preserving, baking and cake making came easily to her. As someone with a sweet tooth, she loved not only to make fruitcakes, pies and other delectable treats, but liked to eat them too. It brought her the most pleasure though, to share these homemade gifts with others, which she frequently did. 

As a result of her love for pets, for many years she crocheted blankets and donated them to the Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Centre to comfort rescue animals during their stay. It was here that Barb rescued the dogs she dearly loved: Casper and Pip. 

For 40 years and until her death, Barb was a member of International Pen Friends (IPF). Corresponding with people from around the globe, and establishing long lasting friendships brought her great joy, in so much as she be became an IPF agent bringing new people into the world of penpalling that she loved so much. Penpals that were particularly special to her included Denysse Jarvis-Carter and Cuny van der Hoeven-Rook, amongst others. 

Barb was a proud Red Hat Society member, and Queen of her local group called WOW (Wild Orillia Women), for 25 years. She enjoyed coordinating their regular luncheons and sharing their company. By coincidence, Barb’s favourite colours were purple and red and she wore them often. Elvis Presley was her favourite singer though old hymns were something she enjoyed. 

Barb loved nature and flowers, but especially bright red, yellow and purples ones. Over the years, she loved her vegetable gardens, reading, playing cards, board games and jigsaw puzzles. Visiting Algonquin Park, accompanying Dai on fishing trips and watching Coronation Street, movies and keeping up with the Royal family also occupied her time. 

Weekly breakfast meetings with friends was another way Barb loved to connect. 

Barb was always considerate of those less fortunate than herself. Giving was something she did generously throughout her lifetime. With support from the Trillium Gift of Life Network, Barb chose to help others even after death by donating her corneas, a final act of generosity that gave the gift of sight to those in need. Both Barb and the family encourage others to consider organ and tissue donation. 

Cremation has taken place. There will be a no funeral or celebration of life as per her wishes. Ashes will be scattered by her family members in warm sunny places that meant the most to her. 

The family extends thanks and gratitude for the kindness and care shown to Barb but, in particular, the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital ICU, Dr. Michael Odlizinski, the County of Simcoe Paramedicine program, Medigas and Community Care. 

In lieu of flowers, donations, at Barb’s request, can be made to organizations that meant a lot to her: the Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Centre in person or at https://secure.ontariospca.ca/site/Donation2?7351.donation=form1&df_id=7351&mfc_pref=T and/or the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital foundation in person or at http://osmhfoundation.ca/donate