Obituary of Barbara Patricia Haggins (Egerdee ) Grant

Barbara, Mom a graduate of Kitchener Collegiate went straight to work in her teens in Accounting at the Bunker Building and resided at the Queen Street YWCA;  She was quickly identified for promotion, but due to cultural restriction, was never actually presented with a position within the firm. Because of her ability and spirit to date, with many, many other folks, women and men; I am happy to see these restrictions slowly albeit, painfully so, dissolving. She was ahead of her time. Barbara married our Dad, Robert Egerdee in 1952 and continued to contribute financially to support their growing family. While she was still working at Dominion Life, just having had their fourth child, in 1964, Dad left for work in the west and did not return to the fold of our family unit. Mom held the fort alone from then on, working and forever self-improving to attain wages that would provide adequately for her family. She walked with purpose. All the while Kerry Lynn inherited her light and easy joy and humour. She worked hard undaunted every day, she modeled hair fashion for Capri Coiffures in 1967 she was also accepted at Teacher’s College in Stratford but choose to prioritize her time to her very young family; and left the foirier. She took jobs that called upon her unique talents as she continued to learn and grow and strive to improve her children’s options. We lived in many different houses, however humble, Barbara made them home and Mom was always there. Grant, her only son found a wonderful life partner as a result of our Mother’s exemplary life, in Lynne. I am able to be home about anywhere on earth and that is not funny. The work she produced during her lifetime includes employment in U of W doctorate Psychology studies, Certified as an Intermediate Architectural Draftswoman, every year at tax time she worked for H&R Block, saved a lot of people a lot of money. Savvy. She worked extensively in Law and Litigation, held the position of Assist. Registrar at U of W, did the work of the Registrar, AND raised four children. In later years she was successful in Real Estate and lived independently in her own homes until her retirement. She was always available for our friends and familial relations. Always quick to joyous laughter. A monument of a Matriarch. As Renée, my other sister said, she was our North. I agree and anyone who ever met Barbara, our Mom, knew her as reliable as Polaris. As we know her values and her North came to her by her father Howard Haggins. There are many who know what I mean, and yes, it took Norma, Mom’s Mother, to keep the whole steady. Against all likelihood of a completed voyage as planned, Barbara remained graceful and unencumbered by a lifetime of challenges, that most everyone I have met in my travels, would have rapidly succumb to. I am proud to have her name Barbara. She was buoyed in her unwavering faith. Rare. Great job Barbara! Good work Mom. Thank you. Go well and rest in love.