Barbara “Barb” Broadhead

Barbara “Barb” Broadhead

Barbara “Barb” Broadhead

March 1, 1947 – March 16, 2026

Barbara “Barb” Broadhead passed away on March 16, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, courage, and deep community connection.
Barb is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Brian Broadhead; her daughter, Tricia McRorie; and her cherished granddaughter, Callie. She will also be dearly missed by her brother, Bob Garrett (Kathy), as well as her many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Evelyn Garrett, her sister Carol Bent (Dave),  son in law Scott and dear friends Mary and Judy.
Born and raised in Essex County, Barb lived a life full of adventure and purpose from an early age. As a teenager, she was part of Miss Hazels Mission Caravan in Muskoka and made history as the first female to stay in an Anglican monastery in Bracebridge. Known for her fearless spirit, Barb embraced life fully—whether drag racing down Ouellette Avenue in Windsor or navigating the streets of New York City late at night while visiting Carol.
Her working life began in the automotive industry and took her across Canada, including Sault Ste. Marie, Moose Factory, Calgary, Prince Albert, and Prince Edward Island, where she also worked for a butcher.  Eventually returning to Essex/Kent, she built a meaningful career as a bookkeeper, homemaker, real estate professional, and in office roles.
Barb gave generously of her time and talents. She served for many years as a church organist, choir director, and secretary, always striving to enrich worship through music and bring people together. She had a gift for making others feel welcome and valued. When a group of young people from Indonesia visited St. Marks in Midland she got the congregation to learn the angklungs (chime like instrument taught by the young folks) and played O'Canada for them.

Barb volunteered in every town she lived in, Victoria Playhouse (Petrolia,) Olde time Christmas (Port Hope), was an ESL teacher in Leamington and Summerside PEI with great success. She not only taught but used a government grant to produce reading material for ESL by hiring writers to create books for the students to use to learn English. She thought the available material was not what new people could easily use.

Barb also organized, promoted the cherry festival in Blenheim, home to the Canadian Cherry Pit Spitting Championship. They came from all over for that one.

Barb has unique talents, engages with people easily, listens, empathizes. People are made comfortable around her. This has led to many adventures in many towns she lived in. From arranging guides for hunts by former bosses (they missed the plane home, natives don’t use clocks), to feeding Barabara Frum home made pizza in Moose Factory, and stuffing 8 people into a Chevy Chevette for a PEI tour.

In Summerside Barb worked for a butcher who was a ships chandler supplying ships with whatever they needed while in harbour. You haven’t been whistled at until you are by stevedores on the dock.

You haven’t lived until you had to entertain a ship’s captain (with limited English) by bringing them home to make popcorn balls because Barb promised her daughter they would be made that night!

Barb was an activist all her life and was deeply engaged in her community. She helped remove a doctor from Moose Factory by using native leadership, This Hour Has Seven Days, and local media to make the case needed. She also used the companies where she worked and donations to provide many family Christmases to those less fortunate.She was a member of two Christian contemporary bands as a keyboard player in Ridgetown and Midland, the band even played here in Christ Church.

Later in life Barb took up quilting with many friends. she did projects large and small, learning as she went. Her favorite quilt was her underground railway which took her years to complete.

She touched many lives and lived a rich and full life and will be missed.