With great sadness the family of Barbara Grogan wish to announce that Barb died peacefully on October 14, 2016 in London, ON in her 57th year with family and lifelong friends by her side after a lengthy battle with liver disease.
Barb was born August 10, 1960 to Emmett and Nadine Grogan. She was an independent spirit and after graduating from McGill University in Montreal to the great pride of her family, she launched a successful career as a public servant with various departments of the Canadian Government including Environment Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. She will be remembered as a dedicated and effective employee and a mentor to others in her work teams.
She served as member, executive member and President of the Canadian Association of Administrative Assistants and brought her determination, organization and enthusiasm to these roles. She was also an active member of the Paradise and District Lions club for many years and built strong friendships while also contributing to the betterment of the local community. She found great pleasure as a crafter and her home-made gifts, cards and cookies will be missed by all who knew her.
Barb is survived by her sister and brothers, Mary Van Dyk (John), John Grogan (Bruna) and Harold Grogan as well as her sisters-in-law Roberta Linkletter (Bill) and Kim Grogan. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother James Grogan. Barb is also survived by many of her aunts, uncles and cousins.
Barb was known as Auntie Barb to her nieces and nephews (and many of their friends) and her love and support will be greatly missed by Michelle Van Dyk (Jason Belanger), Paul Van Dyk (Sarah), Tom Linkletter (Mikaela), Kevin Linkletter (Doree), Erika Grogan Graham (Jeff), Levi Grogan and Sydney Grogan as well as Keirsten Amer and Jennifer Amer whom she considered her nieces as well. Barb was Great Auntie Barb (in every way) to Henry, Nevaeh, Nate, Matia, Carter and Braeden.
Barb has always been a wonderful presence in all of our lives, sharing each milestone and success and commiserating at every stumble.
Barb has been interred at the family plot in Albion (Caledon, ON). A memorial and reception is planned for 2pm to 4pm on October 29th at Robert Ruggle Funeral Home, 617 King Street North, Waterloo, ON. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Liver Foundation (www.liver.ca) or a charity of your choice. Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Brian & Kathryn Stokes
John, Mary, John, Bruna, Harold and families,
We are in shock after hearing of our Counsin Barbs passing. You never anticipate someone so young to leave this earth so early. Its unbelievable. Our hearts are broken but know that our Lord has welcomed her into his arms and that heaven must be scented with Barbs cookies. Please know that our warm embrace surrounds all of you during this very sad time.
Heaven has a new angel ~ Auntie Barb
Barb Byiers
To the Grogan Family,
I’m shocked and so very sad to hear of Barb’s passing. I worked with Barb many years until I left and moved to the UK. Dedicated and committed to whatever she did, Barb also had a great sense of humour and we shared a lot of laughs. I learned a lot from Barb. I’m happy she will now be at peace, but sad because she will be missed.
My heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved her.
Gail Wilson
To the Grogan Family
I am so sorry to hear of Barbs passing. On behalf of the Wilson Family please accept our sincere condolences. Barbara will be missed. Thinking of each and every one of you. Hugs Gail Wilson.
Irene Vassalo
I am truly sorry to hear of Barb’s passing. I will miss her terribly. She was such a joy to be around. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Thinking of You,
Irene Vassalo
Karyn
Barb was such a generous person. I think of her almost every day when I tuck my kiddies into bed with the quilt she thoughtfully gifted each of my babies when they were born. Her warm and caring spirit will be missed.
My deepest sympathies go to those who called her Auntie.
Gina Pennesi
Very sad to hear that Barb had passed away. We worked together for a few years and her generosity and guidance were integral to advancing my career. I have paid her valuable insight forward ever since. My sincerest condolences to Barb’s family during this difficult time. I know she will be greatly missed.
Penelope VanderHeide
To Barb’s family and friends
My deepest sympathies.
Barb was one of those people whose kindness and caring showed in all she did. Working with her, she was would only give her best to everything and her eye for detail was amazing. I will always remember how Barb would bring butter tarts to our meetings, or she would bake these huge cookies for people’s birthdays, or she was making cards or blankets for someone’s baby. Her generosity was unlimited.
Claudia Montan
To barb’s family,
I am so sorry for your loss and stand with you during this sad time. I pray for peace and strength. Barb will be missed.
Claudia (CFIA)
Steve Matusiak
Wow what a shocker. My deepest sympathy to Barbs family. We have lost a very nice person who was truly professional in her work ethic and always there to help. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jackie Pontin
There are so many members of the Association of Administrative Assistants who will miss Barb’s dedication, advice and friendship. We were so saddened to hear of her passing and send our heartfelt condolences to her family. She was a wonderful lady and we will miss her.
Jackie Pontin
Nina Szpakowski
To the Grogan family,
I have many fond memories of my longtime collegue Barb and
I have missed her since she has been away from work and now grieve her passing.
Regretfully my husband and I will not be able to join the family at the memorial service but will donate to the Liver foundation as requested.
I have cherished the handmade cards l have from Barb and now too will cherish her memory and friendship.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and to all those afflicted with conditions of the liver.
In sadness,
Regards,
Nina and John
Nora and Terry Jones
To all the Grogan’s-
So sorry to hear of Barb’s passing. I (Nora) was Barb’s teacher at St John’s Albion when she was in grade one… So many years ago. She was an excellent student always achieving and always successful in her goals….even in Grade one.
Our condolences to Mary, John and Harold. As Kate says…a new angel is now in heaven.
God bless.
Nora and Terry Jones …
Normand Genest
To Barb’s family and friends,
Barb will be greatly missed by so many. She was a great person and we enjoyed so much working with her. Her smile, frank comments, help in so many ways often under time pressure, creativity and friendship just to name a few. She always tried to excel at all tasks.
We will remember you fondly and thank you for all we received,
Normand Genest
Heather Laidlaw
To the Grogan Family,
I remember Barb so well from High School. Death is such a difficult thing to grasp for someone so young. Know that you and your family are in our prayers.
Heather Stewart Laidlaw
Blake Ferguson
I had the pleasure of working with Barb at the CFIA. I will always remember her professionalism, good nature and pleasant smile. I was sorry to hear of her passing and would like to pass my condolences to her family and friends.
Phil King
I’m so sad to hear of Barb’s passing. Although I hadn’t seen Barb since we went to Mayfield, I fondly remember many happy hours spent on the school bus together. I greatly admired her smarts and her sense of humour. My sympathies. Phil King, Toronto (formerly of Sixth Line).
Violet Galvin
So shocked and very sad to hear of Barb’s passing. She was always ready and willing to help. The world is now missing a very good and kind person. Lots of strength to Barb’s family in coping with this loss.
Sue Novosad
To the Grogan Family. I was very sorry to learn of Barb’s passing, however, I know she will be at peace now and she will be missed by many family and friends. I was fortunate to work with Barb for many years while at AAFC and CFIA and when I left Ontario to move to Nova Scotia, Barb lovingly put together my CFIA Memory book which incorporated lots of great memories of my time with CFIA. Barb was always the one to keep us connected with events back in Guelph, and like her scrap booking, she was the glue who kept everyone together. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies and know that Barb will always be in my heart. Celebrate her life, she accomplished many great things.
Sue and John Novosad
Ogilvie, Nova Scotia
Roxane Baskett
I am sad to hear about Barb’s passing and offer my condolences to the Grogan family during this difficult time. I worked with Barb in Guelph for a couple of years, she was kind to everyone and a good friend to me. She was also a wealth of knowledge; I learned a lot from her over the years about many things. Barb will be missed greatly by all.
Cheri
John, to you and your family, my sincerest condolences. Sisters are a very special part of our lives and a significant loss.
Maria Gatti-Grant
I am sorry to hear about Barb’s passing. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
Jim Crawford
To the Grogan family, relatives and friends.
At such sad time, a I am pleased to read all of the tributes to Barb thus far. She deserves all of them. As a work colleague and friend, I can say that Barb was one of the most competent and dedicated individuals I have ever worked with. She assisted not only me, but many others at the CFIA in Ontario with many important files. She was always the voice of reason and she looked out for so many – reminding us of others birthdays, bringing in the cakes or cookies, and of course sharing her cards with us. I still have some cards in my desk. When I send them out to others from now on, it will be with even more significance and remembrance. RIP Barb.
Marlene Hall
John, Bruna and all the family
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. We share in your grief. Love and prayers
Marlene Hall and family
Darlene Radu
To Barb’s family and friends,
Barb will be missed. She was a mentor to so many of us at CFIA.
Teresa Schattenkirk
May the memories and love bring you and your families comfort during this difficult time. My sincerest condolences.
Gerald Giblin
My condolences to your family at this sad time.
Kate Parkin
To the Grogan Family
Dear Mary,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Barbara. I remember her as a spirited happy little girl which does not seem that long ago. It has been a long time but so many happy memories we share of our childhood. Just to let you know that I remember and am thinking of you at this time. My sincerest condolences.
Mary Kay Sullivan ( Parkin)