Determined. Kind. Clever. Quietly radical. Admirer of a perfect pear. These are just a few of the descriptors of Barbara offered by friends and family this week.
Barbara Findlay was born in a British army hospital in 1933. With the outbreak of World War II, she was sent to live with an aunt in Scotland. Although separated from her parents and siblings for long stretches, she spoke fondly of her childhood.
As she entered her 20s in post-war London, Barbara realized she wanted to see the world. After training as a librarian, she secured a job in a Canadian university library and packed her bags. She found a place to live, made new friends and pursued a degree.
In the early 1960s, she met a red-headed Canadian named Michael Hicks at a Student Christian Movement meeting in Toronto. He was smitten with her combination of brains, beauty, independent spirit, and humour. A first date at Fran’s Restaurant on St Clair soon led to marriage, followed by the birth of three daughters.
The family eventually settled in Ottawa, where Barbara re-entered the workforce full-time as a librarian. She loved her career, especially her work at the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the National Library of Canada, and as Chief Librarian at St. Paul University. Equally committed to community engagement, she was awarded several distinctions for her volunteer work over the decades.
At home, she and Michael created a loving and welcoming environment full of laughter, music, and conversation. Their house became a hangout of choice for their daughters’ friends. When grandkids arrived, Barbara delighted in carrying out her “granny duties”.
A beloved aunt, great-aunt and cousin to many dozens of relatives on both sides of the pond, Barbara worked hard to ensure her “Maple Leaf” children were well connected to her family in Scotland and England.
As her mental and physical capacities waned, Barbara spent the last few years at the Glebe Centre and thrived in their engaging and cozy environment. In the last days of Barbara’s life, old friends and staff dropped in to hold her hand, share stories, sing and shed a few tears. It was clear that even with dementia, Barbara’s light shone brightly.
She is remembered with great love by daughters Jennifer, Margaret, and Sarah; grandchildren Mark, Carolyn, and Meredith Nicol, Santiago and Juan Ainslie, and Oscar and Ben Leckman; sons-in-law Bruce Ainslie and Michael Leckman; multiple generations of nieces, nephews and cousins; and friends of all ages. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Michael Hicks; her parents, Brigadier Charles Findlay CBE MC and Mary (Paterson) Findlay; sisters Jean Ker, Molly Findlay and Nan Maitland; and brother John Findlay.
We invite friends and family to join us for a celebration of Barbara’s life on August 26 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario. The event will be live-streamed from the Cathedral. Please visit their YouTube page and click on LIVE events. https://www.youtube.com/@ChristChurchCathedralOttawa/streams.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Glebe Centre care home or a charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
Louise Aubrey
Lynda Laberge 1,
My sympathy to Barbara's family and friends. I volunteered with Barbara at the Rehab Centre. What a lovely lady with a very special sense of humour...loved all the stories about her family. My favourite story was when they took the family to Christmas Brunch at the Chateau Laurier and all one grandson chose to have was one spear of broccoli, most expensive broccoli spear ever!
Sarah Madgwick
Sending much love across the pond to Margaret, Jennifer and Sarah. I will always remember the twinkle in your Mum's eyes, a characteristic she shared with her sisters - my Granny Jean, Molly and Nan.
Sylvie Grenier
What I remember most about Barbara is the twinkle in her eyes radiating kindness, intelligence and humour. It was a pure pleasure to have known her.
BRUCE SAUNDERS
With reverence and respect for a wonderful neighbor..
Freddy Vazquez
My condolences to the family.
I want to share my experience meeting this incredible human. I met Barbara when I started working at the Glebe Centre. I was one of her care providers and when I met Barbara, there was a connection from the start. From the very beginning, she knew and remembered my name. When she saw me, she would call my name with a smile and say, “I need you”. I had so many great days with Barbara, sharing stories, looking at magazine articles about the Royal Family, about nature, singing and colouring books. When it came to singing, I would say to her “I can’t sign”, her response would be, “let’s try”. When we would finish, her comment would be “You can’t sing”; we would both laugh.
I will always remember her smile, our conversations and her kindness.
Maria (Mia) Hicks
Most sincere condolences to Sarah, Jennifer and Margaret and all their loved ones. Aunt Barbara was a treasure with her kindness, calmness, humor and strength. She will be missed.
Michael Martyn & Family
What a marvellous tribute. And what a legacy she leaves in her daughters.
Lots of love from Orillia.
Michael, Glo, Greyson, & Leo
Lydia and Seymour Eliesen
Dear Sarah and family,
In this time of sorrow, may you find comfort in the cherished memories of your beloved mother, Barbara.
Her legacy of kindness, determination, and quiet strength will forever shine in the hearts of all who knew her.
May her spirit guide you and bring you peace.
With heartfelt sympathy
Lydia and Seymour
I’ve used some of the words in your beautiful obituary in a poem for you and your family for your mother,
In memory of Barbara Hicks, a soul so bright,
A beacon of kindness, a guiding light.
Determined and clever, quietly radical too,
Her love for a perfect life, a joy she knew.
Her spirit endures a radiant light.
In the hearts of her children, her legacy lives,
A testament to the love she so freely gives.
May Barbara's memory bring you peace,
In this time of sorrow, may your heart find release.
Her light will guide you, through the darkest night,
A star in the heavens, forever bright.
Seymour
Clare Davidson
I am so sad to hear about your Mum. I was grateful to have met her and was always impressed by her gentle grace and joy! I'm sure she will be deeply missed but hopefully the joyful memories will help you through the sad times.
What a beautiful obituary you have written for your mother. May your memories of her life and love for you all sustain you at this sad time. ~ The Aubrey’s