Obituary of Barbara Bunker

After her passing on November 22, 2018, just shy of her 99th birthday, our dear Barbara Julia Bunker (née Neill) has finally come home to rest. Barbara was truly a remarkable woman who was adored by so many. She was classy, quick, had a great sense of humor, and social life more active than people half her age. Her positive energy and sense of humour brought smiles and laughter everywhere she went, and she was said to have a “presence” in a room. Barbara loved gathering with friends and family, playing a game of cards or Yahtzee, and sharing a story. She was a great lover of dogs, and adored spending summers “back home” in New Brunswick at the family cottage on Grand Lake. She made the trip from Toronto to Fredericton every summer until she was 97 years old, including her trip two years ago when she was the flower girl in her granddaughters wedding. Barbara grew up on her family’s dairy farm, Devon Holsteins, in Fredericton, NB. Barbara lived a full and happy life with her loving husband, Dr. Manzer Bunker (predeceased), who she met while working at Eaton’s after selling him a pair of pajamas before he went into the Navy; a story her children and grandchildren asked her to tell time and time again. They moved from their hometown of Fredericton to Toronto in the 1940s where they started their careers, raised their beautiful children, and grew in their community. They traveled the world together (to Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Asia, Europe, Africa), and made wonderful memories with their family at their home in Toronto on Lytton Blvd, hobby farm in Kendall, ON, and cottage on Grand Lake, NB. Barbara is the daughter of Helen (Lint) and Douglas Neill (both predeceased). Dear sister of Ronald (predeceased) (Lorraine) and Albert (Pete). Amazing mother and friend to Jane (predeceased), Douglas (Colleen [predeceased]), and John (Terry). Loving Grammie to Kirby (Mandi), Julie (Dave), Kendall, and Kristine (Tim); and Great-Grammie to Paisley Jane. Adored aunt (and great-aunt) to many wonderful nieces and nephews, and a cousin to many more. She will also be missed by daughter-in-law Joanne Knieling (Guido). The family would like to extend a special thank-you to her caregivers, Delia and Joan, who were her helpful angels during difficult times, as well as to all of her wonderful friends at 18 Concorde Place, especially Steve and Helen, who prove you can make lasting friendships even later in life. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at York Funeral Home at 302 Brookside Dr, Fredericton, NB. Reception to follow at 3:30 pm at 346 Neill Street (across from Neill Farm). In lieu of flower arrangements, memorial donations made to the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Barbara’s passing leaves such a profound hole in the world of those who know her. Although we had 98 beautiful years with her, a thousand lifetimes wouldn’t be enough. She will be greatly missed, and is so deeply loved. If you are missing her, please share a good story, tell a funny joke, or simply share a cuddle on the couch with your loved ones.