J. Elva Barrowman

"The dishes will wait but the opportunity will not - so GO"! This sums up Elva's attitude. She was a genuine, intelligent, fun-loving and generous soul who faced difficulties in her life but chose to be happy. She treasured time spent with her children, family and friends and was an inspiration. Having bravely fought a battle with Lewy Body Dementia in the last ten months of her life, Elva died peacefully soon after celebrating her 109th birthday.

She was predeceased by her best friend and husband, John Arnott Barrowman and two children, Allen and Grant. She is survived by her daughter, Elayne (Tim) and her son, Jim (Barbara); grandsons, Ryan (Peter) and Brett (Kendal) and great-grandson, Bray, the light of her life. Born in St. Thomas, Ontario, and married in 1942, Elva eventually lived and raised her family in her two-storey North York home for 57 years. She believed that going up and down the stairs kept her limber.

She hosted coffee time with friends and neighbours every week during those years and was dearly loved by all who knew her. At age 97 she moved to Canterbury Seniors Residence and then, at age 105, moved to The Manor (Gravenhurst) and finally to Andy's House Hospice (Port Carling). Since 1954, Elva remained an active member of Willowdale Presbyterian Church and she participated in many different groups throughout her life including Young Peoples, Geneva Group and PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) in support of women's education. For more than 75 years she was an avid patron of the arts including Mirvish Theatre; The National Ballet; Toronto Symphony and the Canadian Opera Company. Never learning to drive meant she walked everywhere and took public transit downtown to attend performances well into her 90s. She introduced many friends to the arts and coordinated the scheduling, purchase and distribution of all their tickets.

Her (surprise) 100th birthday was celebrated on board the Wenonah II steamship in Gravenhurst and was attended by more than 80 friends and relatives from Ontario, British Columbia, New Zealand and California. In the last years of her life, Elva worried that no friends would be alive to attend her funeral, but her family fear they'll have to rent Scotiabank Arena to accommodate those who love her and want to say farewell. Elva's smile, quick wit and hugs will forever be missed.

Our sincere thanks to the staff at The Manor (Gravenhurst) and the staff and volunteers of Andy's House who went out of their way to care for mom and treat her with such love and kindness in her final days. For those wishing to make a donation in Elva's name, please contact The Scott Mission or Andy's House (Hospice Muskoka).

A celebration of Elva's life will take place at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home (6191 Yonge St.) on October 2, 2024. Visitation period will be from 12:00pm-1:00pm, with a Celebration of Life service for Elva starting at 1:00pm. Service will be livestreamed beginning at 12:30pm. Refreshments will follow.