<div itemprop="description">The family of Barbara (Nye) Simmons is heartbroken to share the news of her passing on August 26th, 2026 at Sacre Coeur Hospital.<br><br><br>Barbara leaves behind her much beloved husband, Richard; cherished daughters Laura, Robin (Robert), Susan (Ray) and Valerie; sister Jan (Bob); grandchildren Julia, Peter (Lex), Craig (Kristin) and Kelly (Hunter); and several great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her sister Jean (Micheal).<br> <br><br>Barbara met Richard at the age of 15 years and they both quickly realized that they had met their life partner. They married in 1960 and shared 66 incredible years of marriage together. She was a loving and devoted wife to Richard whom she loved with all of her heart, and a dedicated and remarkable mother to their daughters.<br><br><br>As a passionate life long learner, Barbara returned to school in her 30’s, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Concordia University. She became a very talented artist who had an enormous capacity to recognize and capture beauty. Her vision of the wondrous world we live in is evident and lives on in all of her paintings. Barbara was a signature member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, the Canadian Society of Artists, la Société Canadienne de l'Aquarelle and the Louisiana Watercolour Society. She was also a past president of the Lakeshore Artist Association. Barbara shared her love of art as a teacher, guiding and inspiring many painters.<br><br><br>Barbara will be remembered by family and friends for her extraordinarily kind and gentle spirit, her immense patience and her ability to recognize the goodness in all people and things she encountered. She approached life with optimism and navigated its challenges with grace.<br> <br><br>Family and friends are invited to honour and celebrate Barbara’s memory by joining us at Rideau Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 4275 Boulevard de Sources, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, on Sunday, September 13th, 2026. Visitation will take place from 1:00 to 2:00PM followed by a funeral service. Following the service, family and friends are warmly invited to an informal reception at the funeral home to share memories and to celebrate Barbara’s life together.<br> <br><br>In lieu of flowers, donations to Sacre Coeur Hospital oncology department or intensive care unit would be appreciated.</div>
