Obituary of Barbara Joyce Getz

Barbara Joyce Getz

November 26, 1942 – September 24, 2019

It is with great sadness that her family announces Barbara’s passing at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Guelph.

Cherished wife of Ronald Getz for 55 years, mother of Molly (Francois) Layton of Montreal, Margot Getz of Toronto, and Michael (Nicole Santerre) Getz of Oshawa. Loving grandmother of Edward Hutchinson, Milo Getz, Zoe Getz, and Chase Layton. Predeceased by her parents Alice Rea and George Harper, brothers-in-law David Getz and Roy Oliver, aunt and uncle Kay and Ken Ward, cousin Taylor Ward, niece Alison Myers, and half-brother Ron Harper.

Barbara was a RNA graduate of the Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Toronto, and a graduate of the former Baptist Training Institute, Brantford, where she met Ron. She worked at the Grace, the Toronto and Hamilton Health Departments and Comcare in Oshawa. A life-long enthusiasm for camping led to many adventures. Barb was a counsellor, leadership team member and occasional cook at Camp Kwasind, summer camp and weekend retreat cook at Ganaraska Woods Conference Centre in Garden Hill, workshop leader and creative cook at Grace Ontario Camp Farthest Out retreats at the Golden Lake United Church Camp. Barbara loved babies and spent many years as a La Leche League Leader in Durham Region. In later years she was a volunteer visitor for Durham VON and Northumberland Community Care. Faith communities were an important part of Barbara’s life. She served as Church School superintendent at First Baptist Church, Oshawa, sang in the choir and was honored with a Life Membership in the Baptist Women’s Missionary Society. After moving to Garden Hill, she was active in the choir and ACW at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Perrytown. She was a peacemaker and supported the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America.

Visitation will be held at NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME, 53 Division Street, Bowmanville on Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 6-8pm.  A Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 11am officiated by Rev. John Torrance. Interment to follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Barbara’s memory to be made to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada, the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, or Interval House, Toronto.