Barbara Mildred Agnes McNaughton Reid
July 11, 1931 – July 1, 2023
Barbara succumbed to Alzheimer’s in the early morning of July 1st in Beaconsfield, Quebec.
She was the much loved and loving mother of Heather (Paul), Ken (Norma) and Gordon (Sara), grandmother to Liam, Mairi, Colleen, Nick, Cameron, Sonny, Morgan, Jordan, and recently, great-grandmother to Frankie whom she would have adored as she did all of her grandchildren. She shared much fun and love with her husband, Larry Reid (deceased 2013), his large family and her step-children, Debbie, Randy and Susan, and their children. Aunt Barbara was especially loved by the McNaughton first cousins, Tim, John, Susan and Anne, and their wonderful mom, Barbara.
Barbara was born to Moore and Mildred McNaughton in July 1931, joining her older brother, Donald (deceased, 2013), with whom she had a life-long friendship. Well-loved and adventurous, Barbara and her brother enjoyed a happy childhood in Westmount, Quebec with summer trips to Kamouraska, the Gaspé Peninsula and Kennebunk Beach, Maine. A great fan of the outdoors, Barbara played sports for most of her life – softball, tennis, squash, golf, skiing, curling – and loved to dance. Barbara attended St. Paul School, Westmount and graduated from the CND Notre Dame Secretarial School (Mother House) in Montreal.
Kindness, fun and strength defined Barbara. She was a devoted daughter and a truly wonderful mother who taught and modeled for her children to never give up, to think positively, and to always be with and there for those you love. Throughout most of her life, she sustained a wide network of friends, from childhood buddies to much younger people who were attracted to Barbara’s energetic spirit. She would talk to anyone and get pleasure from their stories. She loved to laugh and was the best audience. The Halifax home, N.D.G. duplex and Pointe-Claire residence were places where people gathered and enjoyed Barbara’s and soon Larry’s generous hospitality. Space was never an issue- there was always room for one more.
Before she married John Swail, Barbara was an executive secretary at Avon. Thrown into single parenthood with three small children in Halifax, 1968, she moved the family back to Montreal, persevered and worked part- and then full-time at the Royal Montreal Curling Club, Bank of Montreal and Marianopolis College. She was a committed member of the St. Ignatius of Loyola parish in N.D.G., and volunteer.
The world was a better place because of Barbara McNaughton. The gifts with which she was born and given in a loving, secure childhood she took with her wherever she went. Even within the constraints of dementia, she found ways to communicate kindness. Her family is hugely grateful to the Manoir Beaconsfield where she spent the last one-and-a half years surrounded by kindness, compassion and appreciation.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Ignatius of Loyola, 4455 Rue West Broadway, Montreal at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. There will be a reception following at the parish hall. An interment will be held at a later date. In Barbara’s memory, please remember to be kind to all you meet. Donations can be made in our mother’s memory to Alzheimer Group Inc., a Montreal charitable organization that offers therapeutic programs to people living with Alzheimers and other dementias (https://www.agiteam.org/) or a charity of choice.
Swail Tales 