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On Saturday, July 11th, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, at GNGH, surrounded by all her family, Barbara Elizabeth Giagnorio (nee Minnis) (October 29th 1948 - July 11th 2020) died. She was 71 years old. Barbara went in the active not the passive, as she desired, flighting the whole way. Hearts broke, tears flowed rapidly, and the universe dimmed at 4:58pm when Barbara took her final breath, having its most brilliant and fiercest star burnout. Barbara was very special person- an amazing woman and remarkable human being, who possessed an extraordinary mindset and heart of unconditional love. Love was always present. The only subject was love.
Barbara did not take solace in the religious and spiritual, and her courage- moral, physical and intellectual, was unflagging having never sought refuge in illusions. For every moment, second, and year that Barbara lived was one of immense and unconditional love for her family and those she considered family, care for and kindness and support and understanding and patience and encouragement to loved ones, and acts of human decency to anyone, anywhere at any given time, even when her own health began to take precedence over all else.
Coming from an English background, Barbara enjoyed several cups of Red Rose Orange Pekoe tea, with a good amount of milk, daily, accompanied by one of several books she would have on the go. Barbara was an ardent bibliophile and delighted in historical fictions, novels, and reading her grandson's university text books pertaining to philosophy and classics. She had a fondness for Friedrich Nietzsche and Baruch Spinoza, along with the works of Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry, and ethical and moral philosophy, as she loved in-depth conversations and questions on any topic or subject - nothing off limits. Her son-grandson Mathew misses these magnum opus, free inquiry and free minded, hours long conversations, and misses his mom-grandma enormously.

One of the great joys in her life was her grandchildren- Mathew Giagnorio, Maddyson Devitt, Sophie and Abigail Cadogan(Giagnorio). Never a day gone by that she did not want to know how they were, how they were feeling, and what they were doing, and wanting to see, talk and spend time with them. Barbara was immensely and joyfully proud of her grandchildren and their endeavours, and always encouraged them to pursue their greatness, as she saw the potential and passion inside them, saying: " you can do, be or become anything you want or desire in life, if you put your heart and mind towards it". And if something was not right she would always know and be there to listen attentively and care wholeheartedly for each of them and truly try to help in any way possible. Whether her children or grandchildren, she was always happily there to listen and help.
Those who are familiar with the name Kate S. Durden- the first female principal in Ontario- may be excited to know that she was Barbara's aunt, and grow up in the same house as her. In addition, Maj. David Alexander Rodrick Cameron- he brought the boy scouts to Niagara Falls, Canada in 1910, the first location outside of the UK. He also planted many of the original trees along the Falls area. David also proudly served in the First and Second World Wars- was Barbara's grandfather.
One of the most marvelous and beautiful qualities that Barbara possessed was a truly unique and liberated mindset in all aspects and pertaining to all matters. In sense, she was born into her generation but she was in no way of her generation; she was not limited to it. It was perhaps Barbara's liberated mindset which permitted her to possess a truly hilarious sense of humour and the treasured gift of making people laugh and smile, often to the point of being in stitches. We miss her laugh, her smile, her hugs and kisses, her care and love, wishing we each could experience all that and more, just once more.
Of her many favourite and enjoyed films and TV shows, Coronation Street, The Soprano's, Doc Martin, Mama's Family, OZ, Rosanne, and Law&Order SVU, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, This Property is Condemned, Butterfield 8, You've Got Mail, Splendor in the Grass, Practical Magic, Matilda, and Overboard, were her most favourite, as some made her laugh and smile, others think about the complexity of a character and the psychological aspects of the show, from which many discussions with her son-grandson Mathew were immensely enjoyed and appreciated, and are dearly cherished.

In addition to her interests, Barbara was a talented knitter having made numerous sweaters for family members over the years. She was also a lover of antiques and apples, having decorated her house with a melange of both. And she loved sleep overs and movie night's with her granddaughter's Sophie and Abigail when they were little. As well as visits and discussions with her granddaughter Maddyson, who always held a dear and special place in her heart.
Barbara was predeceased by her mother, Elizabeth Minnis (nee Cameron), who died in hospital on October 27, 1998, at the age of 77, with Barbara by her side. Also by her loving father-in-law and mother in-law Joe and Theresa Giagnorio. Survived by her husband of 52 years John Giagnorio, together with who she had three daughters. Sarah Giagnorio-Harrison(David), Melissa Devitt(Paul), and Emily Cadogan(Giagnorio) (Jay Mullins), of whom she loved wholeheartedly and unconditionally, and was very proud of each of them, and her brother Bill A. Minnis (Susan) and his two sons.
You will always be in our hearts and minds, ever present and always close, as you have imparted a piece of yourself in all of us, for all times. You shall never be forgotten. We love you and all that you were. We will forever and always proudly hold dear the experiences and memories of things shared together with you, of the woman, of the mother, of the grandmother, of the wife, of the friend and confidant, you were. And of the genuine and unconditional love to showed and taught us all, the basis for any and all further forms of love.
In lieu of a funeral service, Barbara's wishes were to have a Celebration of Life in which smiles and laughter as much as tears of joy and love and saddens would be present. For anyone who would like to celebrate Barbara's life with her family, you are welcome to attend her Celebration of Life on August 15, 2020 at 3278 Prior Cr., Niagara Falls, between the hours 3pm-6pm.
Virgil — 'Amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori'.