Barbara Bays died in Ottawa on April 28, 2026, at the age of 101. She was born in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan, in 1924, to Leonard and Ina Nelson. The family moved to Moose Jaw in 1925, where Barbara attended King George Public School and Central Collegiate Institute. Childhood summers were spent in Cardale, Manitoba, and Midale, Saskatchewan where her parents helped their widowed mothers run and hold onto family farms. Despite having met a young engineer newly moved to Moose Jaw, she left for Saskatoon to study English at the University of Saskatchewan. Two weeks after her graduation, she married that engineer, Neil Bays, in her family home. Neil’s career as a chemical engineer took them to Montreal, Edmonton, back to Moose Jaw, Montreal again, Calgary, and Oakville. Wherever they went Barbara created a comfortable and loving home for her family. Despite how much time she lived outside the province, Barbara retained a lifelong attachment to Saskatchewan, always loving a prairie sunset or a piece of Saskatoon pie.

Barbara enjoyed curling, skiing, bridge, and square dancing, as well as traveling throughout Canada, Europe, and South America. Wherever she lived, Barbara was an active member of the local Baptist church. Ever creative, Barbara pursued several artistic outlets but excelled at sewing and quilting. She outfitted herself, her daughters, and granddaughters, creating suits and special dresses that are fondly remembered. As a quilter, she won awards, taught workshops, and was a founder of the Oakville Quilters Guild. That she had an eye for colour and design was always evident.

She will be remembered for her tender shortbread, delicious apple pie, ready laugh, and great hugs. She leaves us beautiful quilts, good pieces of mid-century modern furniture, paintings for our walls, and warm memories.

We are grateful for the love, care, and support of the staff and families of Gladstone House, Grace Manor over the past two years, and for the care and companionship provided by Helen Odele and Abby Hashi.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Diane (Tom) and Eileen (Warren), five grandchildren (Hilary Busing, Eleanor Busing, Gregory Coutts, Evelyn Coutts, and Geoffrey Coutts) and seven great-grandchildren (Romilly Taylor, Jemima Taylor, Enid Busing Noot, Carey Busing Noot, Rafe Busing Noot, Henry Carey, and Wesley Carey).

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Ottawa on June 2, 2026 at All Saints Westboro. The funeral service will be streamed by visiting the link below.

Memorial donations may be given to Médecins sans Frontières or Matthew House Ottawa.