Obituary of Barbara McCuaig

Barbara Arlen McCuaig, a cherished mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024, at the age of eighty-eight. Born in Brantford, Ontario, on June 15, 1935, she was the first-born child of Allan Walker Shaw and Edna Marie Shaw (Plant). Barb grew up on her parent’s farm, alongside her two younger brothers, deeply connected to the Shaw and Plant clans. On top of a farming heritage, creativity flowed through her family; her dad was an actor/singer, her mom a writer, and she inherited their creative flair. Barb was the first in her family to attend University, studying Physical and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. She was an active member and later president of the Tri Delta sorority. At U of T, Barb also met the love of her life, David Roderick McCuaig. Barb and Dave married on December 7, 1957. Barb started work as a physiotherapist, working with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the Red Cross. After living in Toronto and Windsor, Barb and Dave ultimately made their home in Kitchener-Waterloo. Family was at the centre of Barb and Dave's life. Over the span of nine years, they welcomed their seven children, including two sets of twins. Barb often jested with a smile on her face that she had wanted two children, while Dave had wanted four, so they had “two for her, four for him, and one for good measure." Barb ("Nan") and Dave also thrived as grandparents, blessed with twenty grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Barb's passions were diverse, ranging from a talent for baking and cooking—her kitchen perpetually filled with the smells of freshly baked pies and rolls— to gardening, crosswords, painting, music, sporting purple and turquoise fashions, playing euchre, nightly viewings of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and cheering on her beloved Blue Jays. She enjoyed travelling with Dave and their children, with annual trips to Marco Island, Florida, and special adventures in South Africa, Scotland, Portugal, and Hawaii. Barb was a deeply curious person. She read the newspaper every day and had informed opinions on world events, natural medicine, and more. In the wake of Dave's passing in 2020, Barb remained a pillar of strength and resilience, living independently in her home throughout the pandemic, all the way until her passing. Barb will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, intellect, quick wit, and deep love for her family. She is survived by her seven children and their spouses (Jeff/Kris, Kevin/Janet, Stewart/Kelly, Lisa/Bruce, Todd/Gwen, Bradley/Mike and Wendy, Murray/Judy), twenty grandchildren (Sarah, Jennifer, Steven, Julia, Katelyn, Laura, Scott, Anna, Jessica, Olivia, Evan, Stephanie, Matthew, Sam, David, Mackenzie, Cameron, Katie, Ryan, Ben), three great-grandchildren (Hazel, Isla, William), two brothers and their spouses (Larry/Carol, Nelson/Linda) and her many nieces and nephews. Her legacy is one of strength and love. Join us to honour Barb's life on June 15th, which would have marked her eighty-ninth birthday, at Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre for a 10 AM visitation and 11 AM chapel service. For donations, condolences, and webcast details please visit beckettglaves.com. Rest in peace, dear Barbara Arlen McCuaig. You worked tirelessly to build this beautiful family, and for that, we will all be forever grateful.