Barbara Elizabeth Murray (nee Johnston) took her last peaceful breath on Monday August 25, 2025. Barbara will be forever remembered and cherished by sons David and Steven, daughters-in-law Sophie Kittredge and Sheila Murray, son-in-law Gordon Belray, granddaughters Jesse Murray and Cassidy Murray, grandsons Tyler Murray, Maxwell Belray and Julian Belray, sister-in-law Nadine Nowlan, nieces Deanne-Mary Johnston and Jackie Nowlan, nephews Robert Johnson and Peter Nowlan, grandniece Ferris Nowlan and grandnephew Declan Nowlan.

Barbara was predeceased by her much-adored daughter Janet Belray and husband George Murray, her brother George Johnston, sister-in-law Lucille Johnston and brother-in-law David Nowlan.

Barbara was born in Smiths Falls, Ontario, and was the daughter and second of two children born to Evelyn (nee Churchill) and George Johnston. Her father George was a bankmanager for the Royal Bank of Canada and her family moved because of father’s promotions to larger RBC branches, first from the greater Smiths Falls area to Montreal, then to Barrie, then finally to the Beach neighborhood of Toronto where Barbara finished high school at Malvern Collegiate Institute.

Barbara then attended the University of Toronto for teacher’s college. It was during this time that she met her future husband George when he was attending the school of architecture. George and Barbara were married in 1954, and Barbara enjoyed her career as a public-school teacher until the birth of her first of three children. To raise a family, they bought their first house in 1959 on Birkdale Road in Scarborough. This is where they met their close neighbors Katharine and Robert Binks who became their lifelong friends. In 1966 the family moved to the Windfields neighborhood of North York where Barbara and George lived happily.

During these years Barbara was active in her community, volunteering her time to the local schools to help organize extracurricular activities for students. Barbara loved to share stories with her children and grandchildren. Not only was she a patient listener, curious about the smallest detail of her family’s lives, but also an incredible storyteller, especially of her childhood memories, historical events, and fascinating family tales. Throughout her lifetime, Barbara's unconditional love, her compassion and generosity defined her.

Those who knew her were fortunate to have had such a devoted, caring and thoughtful person in their lives. Barbara bore the cruelties of Parkinson's disease with grace and courage. She was an inspiration of strength for all. A special thank you to the staff at Newmarket Health Centre for their care and love for Barbara over her 7-year residency.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to Parkinson Canada, or Barbara’s grandson, Tyler Murray’s fundraiser for Parkinson Canada https://gofund.me/0f99100c where all proceeds go to Parkinson Canada which supports medical research and helps people with Parkinson’s live better lives.