Barbara Jeanne Smith, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully, in Woodstock Hospital, on Sunday October 4, 2026 at the age of 95.
Born on November 19, 1930 in Woodstock Ontario, Barbara was known for her kindness, strength, generosity, and sense of humor. She devoted her life to her family and brought love, wisdom, and comfort to everyone who knew her. Her presence made a lasting difference in the lives of those around her. She had the gift of making even shy and reticent people comfortable in joining a conversation.
After graduating high school, Barbara worked for the Oxford Regional Center as a phlebotomist. Working there, she contracted tuberculosis and spent the next two years receiving treatment in the Beck Sanitarium in London, Ontario. While there she was visited by, and fell in love with her future husband, Bill Smith, a photographer at the London Free Press. Married on April 11, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church, they adopted three children and lived on Regal Drive in London. Later, Barbara volunteered at the Opportunity Workshop, a working facility for adults with developmental challenges. She also worked for a number of years as a counselor at the Robarts School for the Deaf.
Barbara and Bill were avid sailboat racers and won many trophies in regattas across Ontario in their Y-Flyer sailboats. Later, they raced and cruised the Great Lakes, in a variety of keel yachts. Summer vacations were spent cruising the North Channel and Georgian Bay with their children on board. After moving from their home on the shore of Lake Huron, Barbara and Bill settled in Woodstock and became active members of the Woodstock Lawn Bowling Club. Barbara competed on the Woodstock team at the Canadian National Lawn Bowling Championship in Calgary, Alberta.
Barbara is survived by her sister Catharine; children, Michael (wife Karen), William and Patricia; grandchildren, Jennifer (husband Greg Borrelli), Michelle (husband Robert Heer), Christopher, Stephen, and great grandson Callahan Heer; sisters-in-law Dorothy, Eleanor, Jacqueline, and her many adored nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill, father Jack Poole, mother Mary Poole, sister Patricia (husband John Young); brothers Peter, John (wife Betty), Philip, Michael, and Richard; brothers-in law Charles Callahan (wife Patricia Smith), and Jerry (wife Ann Smith).
Those who knew Barbara will remember her for her laughter, joy and enjoyment of life. She loved watching football and enjoyed predicting the outcomes while enjoying a glass of beer at Cutchie’s in Woodstock. Her love will remain in the hearts of her family and friends, who will miss her deeply and carry her memory forward.
A service celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, October 27th, at noon, at Holy Trinity Church, 1420 Devonshire Ave, Woodstock. There will be a lunch to follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to honor her memory with a donation to the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Center: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/childrens-hospital/ways-to-give. Personal condolences may be shared at www.smithleroy.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to honor her memory with a donation to the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Center: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/childrens-hospital/ways-to-give . Personal condolences may be shared at www.smithleroy.com.
Donation information
