Passed away peacefully in her 95th year, February 5, 2023 at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
Survived by her sister Marilyn Wellwood (Bob) of Kingston and loving sons Gregory Mavin (Lyne) of Ottawa, Thomas Mavin (Antonella) of Cambridge and Blake Mavin of Waterloo, and also her grandchildren Sarah Mavin-Anderson (Mike) with great-grandchildren Kylah, Makaylyn and Austin of Pennsylvania, Pamela Chandler (Ryan) with great-grandchildren Adelyn, Claire and Katey of Stratford, Amy Mavin, with great-grandchildren Abigail and Lilith of Kitchener, Zachary Mavin (Monique) of Moncton, Samuel Mavin (Autum) of Edmonton, Connor Mavin and Ian Mavin of Waterloo and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. Predeceased by her loving husband, Gabriel Cyril Hugh Mavin on March 4, 2001.
Born on Dec. 2, 1928 in Galt, Ontario to Thomas Whitla and Christina Morris Whitla, she was a lifelong resident of Galt/Cambridge. Graduated from Galt Collegiate Institute and Queens University with a BA. Worked for many years as a teacher with various local boards of education. Her experiences were as a teacher of the blind, in a local girl’s reform school, kindergarten teacher, classroom teacher and special education teacher in speech and language. She married Gabriel Cyril Hugh Mavin of Brantford on July 5, 1952. They lived a long and special life together in a loving household, with family camping trips and many foreign tours. She was a tireless advocate for her husband during his illness and she successfully created a new life for them for many years afterwards. She was a longtime member of the Women’s Probus Club of Cambridge, a founding member of St. John’s-on-the-Hill United Church, now Cedar Hill United and a keen bridge player. Her departure is especially painful for her family and she will be sorely missed.
Special thanks to all the family members who assisted her in her time of need especially Antonella, Tom and Blake and to Riverbend Place for helping make her last days comfortable.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will be received at Coutts Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 96 St Andrews St, Cambridge on Wednesday, February 15 from 6–9 p.m. and Thursday, February 16 from 12-1 p.m. The memorial service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, February 16 at 1 p.m. with light refreshments to follow.
Fond memories and donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation may be shared through the funeral home at www.couttsfuneralhome.com.
In September, Sue Meighan and Mary Jane Novak visited Barb and presented her with a “Certificate of Appreciation” from RWTO Provincial Office. She was living in her own home at that time.