Barbara Elizabeth Lwow (nee Benson)

Thank you to all of my Mom's family and friends, for being a part of her life. We hope that you keep many good memories of her.

Dear Barb. I have many fond memories of us growing up. You brought love and creativity into our lives. We will miss you.

Aunt Barb was loved and will be missed by us all. Much love. ❤️

Barb was an invaluable part of my childhood . She helped guide me with confidence and morals and a love for nature and animals. She taught me a lot about recycling, composting and reusing items and treating Mother Nature with respect. She taught me a lot about how to treat people as equals, with kindness and empathy to the less fortunate. She was always willing to provide her time and attention to those that needed it. Barb was selfless to the maximum. I love her and will miss having her as a part of my extended family. Her spirit and zest for life will live on in all those that knew and loved her.

She will be truly missed and remember for her vibrent and outgoing spirit. Never afraid to try new adventures in life . Going to miss you .

Barb was delightful and a great friend. Everyone that
knew Barb loved her. Barb was so friendly with me
when I moved to Ambleside. Shocking, she was so young. I Love You Barb xo

I met Barb in 1972 when we started the MRC (now DSW) program at Algonquin. Maybe, we became friends due to our names, it's been too long ago to remember, 53 years!
There was a time when everyone envied Barb. Someone had made a mistake in choosing an art course, it should have been something like arts and crafts, but it was a REAL art course and we needed to pass it! It was a breeze for someone with so much artistic talent as Barb had.

She had so many talents, over the years I learned about more and more of them. I really envied the family who hired her to create 2 copies of their cottage (I think) for their children. They were absolutely amazing!!!! And, of course there is the painting in my sister Betty's hallway of the Wakefield train/ station/water tower/ etc

Coming forward a few years, when she and Peter lived in Hazeldean, Barb landscaped the yard, front and back. I photographed Christain and Amy on the front lawn. Another decade or two later, some friends bought that house due to how much they liked the landscaping. When I learned of their new address, I said that Barb had lived there! They knew her from her substitute work at the Mothercraft day care center in Westboro. Eventually, Barb and I went out to visit Elaine and John to see the house and yard again. It was so nice for her to see the fruits of her labour, and how beautifully everything had grown.

Over the years, off and on we got together, especially to enjoying Lebanese food. She taught me, if you want to make tabouleh, you need a very sharp knife to cut the parsley. Of course, I heard about Christian and Amy and eventually the grandchildren. One of my favorite pictures of myself was taken at Barb's 50th birthday party at Ivy's house on the river. I was holding Cole, our outfits were very similar in colour, it looked like a planned portrait. We were sitting in front of the beautiful fireplace.

In various homes that Barb lived, I was able to see her fixing and decorating, so many projects. The best ever was her raspberry bushes on Churchill! I have told the story many times. With the bushes on the south side of the house, the brick holding the heat from the sun, warming the soil AND the side of neighbour's house was white. When the sun moved to the west as the day went, on there was reflection onto the rasp. bushes. They were the best I have ever seen.

I will tell one of the funniest stories of a situation on Berkley St. The neighbour had sold and a new house was being built. The builder(s) were wrecking a tree which must have been close to the property line. They had had "words" about the tree. One day, I was in the backyard and Barb told me the story. I said in a voice loud enough for him to hear, ""This is perfect, my niece has just finished law school (true) and this will be her first case!" We went into the house laughing like crazy. He quickly changed his attitude to the tree.

After Barry died in 2020, and with Covid, I have not seen much of Barb and will be forever grateful that my twin and Barb who live near each other in the west end kept up a friendship.

Other people have said that Barb will be remembered, there is ZERO doubt about that. There were so many people in her life and she helped so many of them. I for one will treasure these memories which I have shared and so many more.

We know that a dear friend is resting now, with no pain!

I am so sorry that you have lost such a wonderful person. I am sending BIG HUGS.

It was always so much fun when we all got together.. You were the party....our "Dancing Queen"....a very beautiful person

New to Ambleside Two, I credit Barbara with helping me to decide to purchase here (I met her the barbecue area, painting the owl). I met her another time while waiting for my laundry and then again in the latest Art Show when I was able to take some photos for her with her beautiful exhibits. So sorry to hear the news of her passing. Such a special and talented lady.