Mrs. Barbara Ann Balec

Mrs. Barbara Ann Balec

1940- 2024

It is with tremendous sadness and shock that the family of Mrs. Barbara Ann Balec (nee Poulter) announce her sudden passing in the early morning hours of March 15, 2024, at the age of 83, at the TBRHSC. She was lovingly and protectively surrounded by her children and grandchildren until her last breath.

Barbara was born in Fort William on May 19, 1940, to parents Frank and Margaret Poulter (nee Furik).  Her momma passed away when Barbara was only two and a half.  As a result, Barbara and older sister Ellen spent many years growing up between their grandma’s and auntie’s houses.  When their father remarried, the family soon welcomed siblings Frank and Jane. 

When mom was 18, she met our father at Clemens Grocery Store, where he chased her for years before she gave in, and they wed on August 10,1963, at St. Casimir’s Church.  They welcomed their five children in quick succession, with the last arriving in 1969. By then, Dad had started the family business and named it Barbara’s Confectionery.  It was a staple and gathering place in Westfort until the late 1980s.  Barbara’s family was her everything and the more children around the better.  This led to her 25 year career as a Private Home Day Care Provider with the City of Thunder Bay.  She looked after some 150 children through the years and many held a special place in her heart, especially Brandon Rommell and Jordan Humeniuk.

Barbara was her children and grandchildren’s biggest fan, attending their every hockey and baseball game and she was always the loudest cheerleader in the crowd.  She enjoyed many a road trip for their hockey.  Barbara also loved bowling, baseball, hockey, her cats, ice cream dates, bingo, concerts, dancing and the Montreal Canadiens.  She was an Elvis Presley fanatic having seen him twice in concert and visiting Graceland three times!  Through the years she amassed an impressive Elvis memorabilia collection. She also attended Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez concerts with her grandchildren well into her 70s.

After our dad passed in 2006, Barbara continued to enjoy little getaways to Duluth with her family.  But her life’s companion was missing, and soon after Dementia started to rob us of our mom.  Barbara was diagnosed some twelve years ago, and we vowed that we would keep her home as long as possible.  With the incredible help of Manor House, Wesway Respite and the Alzheimer’s Society, we were able to do just that!  Daughters Kathy and Laurie dedicated the last 8 years to providing full-time care to Barbara.  Her grandchildren made hundreds of videos of her silly antics which show how much she was loved and adored.  Respite workers Dyna and Irina became like family while providing in-home respite that allowed us time to shop, run errands, enjoy a movie out or just go for a walk.  Mom was so well taken care of, that it wasn’t her dementia, but a sudden heart attack that would take her from us. 

Barbara is survived by her loving sons, Mark (Loralie), and Greg (Sandra); daughters Tamara (Nelson) Andreason, Kathy (Joe) DePaulo and Laurie Balec. She also leaves behind her grieving grandchildren Natasha (Johnathon), Steve (Sarah), Sara (Kyle), Brooke (Dalton), Nick, Aimee, Mason, Madeline (Matt) and Joey (Brooke).  She leaves great-grandchildren Colton, Kalleigh, Braxton and Boyd.  Barbara is also survived by brother Frank (Linda) Poulter, sister Jane (Bill) Aitken, sisters-in-law Zuzia Klimkowski, Irene Milligan, Amy Balec, Rhona Krowicki and Diane Balec. She was recently reunited with step-sister Irene Salerno. She is survived by many special cousins, nieces and nephews and long time friends Ginny Ekberg, Florence Rommell, Gail Payette and Kathleen Moore, who was like another daughter to her.

Reunited in death with her beloved husband Bing (2006) and sister Ellen Delyea (2024).  Predeceased by parents Frank and Amelia Poulter, grandparents and other dear family members.

Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Barbara Ann Balec will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 11:00am in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James, officiated by Father Michael Mahoney.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests donations be made in Barbara’s name to Manor House, Wesway Respite or the Alzheimer’s Society.