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Barbara Ann Cavin
1936-2018

Barbara Ann Cavin (nee Peer), passed away peacefully at the Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket on Tuesday, July 17th. She was 81 years of age.
She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Donald James Cavin. Also by her children and their spouses: Donann Marlene Matysiak (nee Cavin), Brenden Wesley Cavin, Stephen Andrew Matysiak and Elaine Margaret Cavin May.

Proud grandmother of six : Joseph Stephen, Samuel James, Emily Gertrude Ginger, Katherine Anjelica, Rosalind Amy and Henry Lawrence.

Beloved sister of the late Jack Arthur Peer, Loving sister-in-law to Sheila Ruth Peer (nee Muir) and Aunt to Grace Irene and Jennifer Ann

Daughter of the late Velma Irene and Leonard William Peer

Barbara was born in a private home on the Lorne Park Estates.
She cherished her childhood on the working farm of her mother and father and other neighbouring family properties. She had the run of vast market gardens, orchards and three or four family farmhouses and barns. Her lifelong love for plants, trees and animals started there.
Her love of music also developed early and by the age of 16 she was in business for herself teaching accordion and piano. She also played accordion professionally.
She married Donald James Cavin in 1957 at The First United Church in Port Credit.
After raising children as a stay at home mother, Barbara found employment at Woodgreen Community Centre in the early to mid seventies. There she flourished as an innovative leader and where she and her colleagues pioneered community programs for seniors, which are commonplace today.
Barbara had many interests; she dabbled in writing, sculpture, photography, square dancing and considerable travel, folk music and camping.
She and Don were avid bird watchers, nature lovers and conservationists.
Barbara was an activist for several causes, from the very early years with The Voice of Women, Women's Rights and the anti war movement.
In the nineties, Barbara participated in the conception and creation of The Child Abuse Survivor Monument Project, a huge undertaking that went on for many years and that she was very proud to have been a part of.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Stronach Cancer Centre in Newmarket, also the palliative team assigned to us that gave us so much wonderful support and very especially the staff of The Margaret Bahen Hospice. We are very grateful to you all.

Barbara's Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, July 31st at 1:00pm, in the Chapel at Skinner and Middlebrook Funeral Home in Port Credit and online condolences may be made at www.skinnerandmiddlebrook.com
If desired, a memorial donation may be made to the Stronach Cancer Centre or The Margaret Bahen Hospice, both of Newmarket, Ontario