In Memoriam: Longtime Beacher Barbara Cheatley remembered for her kindness and hospitality

Longtime Beach resident and local volunteer Barbara Florence Cheatley will be remembered at a Celebration of Life event set for this May.

Cheatley (nee Savage) died on Nov. 27 last year at Michael Garron Hospital after a brief illness.

“Barb had a bottomless well of kindness and hospitality, living her early years in North Toronto’s Wanless Park, then over 70 years in the Beach,” said her obituary.

“She devoted many decades of charitable work to the Canadian Cancer Society where she was a canvasser and canvasser captain. She worked for the Canadian Cancer Society for 17 years running their Beaches / East York unit. In later years Barb served as a driver taking cancer patients to their hospital appointments.”

Born on May 2, 1933, to parents John and Phyllis Savage, Barb grew up in the North Toronto area and attended Northern Secondary School.

Barb and her husband James first met as a teenagers while at a dance pavilion at Elmhurst Beach on Lake Simcoe, near Keswick. They were married in 1951 and moved to the Beach in 1954.

Her home on Normandy Boulevard has long connections with Barb’s family as her maternal grandmother lived in the house from 1937 until 1954. Barb, James and their children Robert, Alan and Mark grew up on Normandy Boulevard. The house was Barb’s home for more than 70 years.

Her son Mark told Beach Metro Community News that his mother loved living on Normandy Boulevard. “Mostly because of the wonderful friends she’s had there through the years,” he said.

Barb’s involvement with the Canadian Cancer Society goes back decades.

“I’m not sure of the exact details of how or why she started volunteering with the Cancer Society, but since she was always a ‘giving person’ it was a natural fit for her,” said son Mark.

“While continuing her volunteer efforts, she then worked for the Cancer Society three days a week for about 17 years. She ran the Beaches/East York unit office. After retiring, she continued to volunteer for many years, including driving patients to their appointments.”

Barb is predeceased by her husband James and siblings David and Audrey.

Along with her sons Robert (Marlene), Alan (Patti Lou), and Mark (Margie), Barb is survived by her sister-in-law Sheila Savage; grandchildren Stephanie (Paul), Daniel (Zue), Kevin, James (Heather), Michael (Bonnie), Nicole (Alex), and Angela (Greg). Barb was GiGi to six great grandchildren to date: Madelyn, Francis, Adeley, Tate, Mavis, and Liam.

The Celebration of Life for Barb will take place on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Norway church (Woodbine Avenue and Kingston Road). Community members who knew Barb are most welcome to attend.

Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Barb Cheatley are asked to do so to the Canadian Cancer Society.