Barbara "Barb" Stevenson

It would be wrong to say that Barb lost her battle, because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always determined. When anyone else would have broken, Barb stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like. There was no quit in Barb. Just because she is no longer here, it doesn’t mean she lost her fight.

Barbara “Barb or Barbie” Sinclair Stevenson was a beautiful and caring wife, Mother, Grammy, Daughter, Sister, Auntie and friend to many. She left this world after a long and courageous battle on March 28, 2023 at the age of 64 in Toronto General Hospital.

She was born to Marian (nee Lane - and her now husband, Jim O’Connor) and the late James Sinclair on June 29, 1958. Barb is survived by her partner of over 25 years, Ken Bertrand and her three children: Justine (Michael), Brendon and Joseph, and her step children Amy and Evan. She was the worlds best ‘Grammy’ to Isabella and Ariya! She was the loving sister of Beverly (Doug), Kathy (Martin), Jamie, and the late Duncan (Brenda, and her now husband Heath). She had many nieces and nephews, Melissa (and her children Charlotte and Aidan), Jon (Tiffany), Jason, Natalie (Imran), Zack, Matthew, Braydon and Madison. Remembered by her Step siblings, Chris (Marsha), Colleen (Steve), Maureen (Steve), Kathleen (Don), Kevin (Jennifer) and all of their children. She will be missed by Ken’s many brothers and extended family, especially Hank & Lynne Bertrand and their family.

She will also be missed by her ex-husband and the father of two of her children, Gerald Stevenson, his parents James and the late Roseleen, siblings: Paul (Joy), Sandra (Ronald), Jacqueline (Clifford), Lorraine (David) and the late Jim; and nieces and nephews: Seamus, Lorraine, Sarah, Jason, Brent, Jessica, Erik and Brooke. She will be deeply missed by so many friends, extended family, and friends that were family. Forever missed by her fur babies, Nyla and Sierra.

We would like to thank all the staff for the care and support that she received from Toronto General Hospital and the entire Transplant team, and to her respirologist Dr. Hutchison-Jaffe from North York General Hospital who gave her a fighting chance for this awful disease.

Visitation will be held at the Low and Low Funeral Home, 1763 Reach Street, Port Perry (905-985-7331) on Sunday, April 2, 2023 from 11a.m. until the time of service at 1p.m. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held. Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to the Toronto General Hospital, North York General Hospital or the Lung Association of Canada. There will also be a celebration of life in her hometown on Friday, April 7th, 2023 from 11am-3pm at Royal Canadian Legion #442, 12 Dundas Street East, Erin, ON (upstairs).

THE LORD SAW YOU ...

The Lord saw you getting tired

And a cure was not to be,

So He put his arms around you

And whispered, "Come with me."

With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer And saw you fade away, Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

A beautiful smile at rest,

God broke our hearts to prove

He only takes the best.