Margaret “Dianne” Barton (née Currie) died on September 4, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 83. Born in Kingston, Ontario, on November 6, 1942, and raised in North York, Dianne later made the Uxbridge area her home. This Margaret Dianne Barton obituary remembers a caring educator, creative craftsperson and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Dianne is lovingly remembered by Doug Barton, her husband of 36 years; her children Wendy (Marcus), Kevin (Jamie-Lyn), Sarah, Ian (Meghan) and Geoff (Kim); and her grandchildren Alexander, Gavin, Madison, Naomi, Avery, Parker, Jaxson, Clayton, Blake and Ethan. She is also remembered by her siblings, Joanne and Butch. Her parents, Audrey and Alex Currie, predeceased her.
A life of teaching and creativity
Dianne earned her Ontario Teacher’s Certificate from Lakeshore Teachers’ College in Toronto in 1962. She began teaching in 1963 in a one-room schoolhouse near St. Mary’s, Ontario. After taking time away when her daughter was born, she returned to education in Durham Region in 1983. Her final 12 years in the classroom were spent teaching Grade 1 at Claremont Public School, where she often incorporated music into her lessons. She retired in 1999.
Dianne and Doug travelled widely, visiting Myrtle Beach, the United Kingdom and Europe, and making four trips to New Zealand. In retirement she enjoyed embroidery, quilting and creating personalized cards and holiday favours. Each grandchild received a handmade Christmas quilt and stocking. Gardening and golf were interests she shared with Doug, while Toronto Blue Jays games—especially on Canada Day—remained a favourite family tradition.
Arrangements and donations
Dianne’s family will celebrate her life privately at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society or the Uxbridge Hospital Foundation. Her family expressed gratitude to the teams at Uxbridge Hospital and Markham Stouffville Hospital for their care and compassion.
Source: Original obituary notice from Low & Low Funeral Home, Uxbridge Chapel.
