Barbara Marie Kenez

Barbara Kenez (née Wenger), of Barrie, ON, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2023, surrounded by her loving family after a lengthy battle with cancer. She is survived by her son, Hayden, and her ex-husband and friend, Gary Kenez.

Barbara was born in Scarborough on May 12, 1957, to Donald and Margaret Wenger. She was a kind, gentle soul, with a wry sense of humour and a love for cats, literature, and travel.

She was drawn to the coast of California and, during her vacations there, spent quiet mornings on the beach and days driving the Pacific Coast Highway. She longed to go back one more time.

Her home was an oasis, and serves as a fitting tribute to her passion for all things beautiful and aesthetic. She grew lush gardens in her sprawling backyard. Her house is adorned with bespoke furniture and carvings, much of which was handcrafted by her father, a master woodworker. She sewed one-of-a-kind quilts for friends and family. She knit decadent afghans that provide warmth and comfort on cold winter nights.

Barbara found pleasure in the little things: mornings on the back deck in the sunshine with a coffee, watching birds flock to her fountains and chipmunks scurrying through the grass; quiet walks along the shore of Kempenfelt Bay and exploring the small towns of Simcoe and Grey Counties with friends. She maintained a detailed catalogue of her Mennonite ancestry, which can be traced back to Christian Wenger, who immigrated to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the 1700s and is considered the forefather of its extensive Mennonite community.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.