February 21, 1932 - May 25, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of Barb at the age of 93. She passed quietly in her sleep with her daughter by her side. Beloved wife of the late Bob Palmer. Loving and devoted mother of Beth Nixon (late Ian), Michael (Masha) and Rodney (Julie). Adoring and proud grandmother of Jed, Nora (Todd) and Hilary Nixon (John), Josh and Emma Palmer, Andrew and Matthew Palmer Verbytskiy. She will be deeply missed by her siblings Jack Pace (Fay), Marie Gjos (late Gary), and was predeceased by her brother Lorne Pace (Jean). She was a well-loved aunt of many nieces and nephews on both the Pace and Palmer sides of the family. She was predeceased by Bob's siblings and spouses.
Barb was born in Thessalon in 1932 to Bill and Mary Pace and grew up on the family farm in Cloudslee near Bruce Mines. As a child she attended the one room school house at Cloudslee Public School and later Thessalon High School before embarking on her teaching career at the tender age of 17. Her first classroom was in a one-room school house in Kynoch before she joined bigger school boards in St. Catharine's, Kapuskasing and the Sault. As a young woman Barb was an independent adventurer. She spent her summers travelling with her teacher friends to Mexico, England and across Europe in the 1950's.
She initially met Bob at Thessalon High and later became reacquainted when he took a job at Cloudslee P.S and taught her younger sister Marie. Barb recently related that Bob had been invited to one of Barbs brother’s weddings and he offered her a ride home that night, gracefully accepted. They were married at Cloudslee in 1960 and shared 62 years together prior to Bob’s passing in 2023. Barb was an excellent and nurturing homemaker as she and Bob raised their busy family on Arizona Avenue. Good relationships with their siblings near and far meant that the family grew up spending many laughter filled times “down the line” with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents on both sides of the family. After Bob's retirement they started another chapter together travelling through Europe and across the U.S. in winters, and enjoying the company of family, friends and grandchildren every summer at their Cummings Lake camp. Barb gathered and kept her life-long friends from childhood right up into her last years. They included childhood friends from Cloudslee, the "Thessalon high school gang", neighbours from the state street subdivision, bridge club ladies, church relationships, teaching friends, and most recently her new and valued friendships at Great Northern Retirement Home.
The family would like to thank Great Northern Retirement Home for making Barb's six and a half years there a well cared for and enjoyable time. We would also like to thank the care workers on Cedar 2 and 3 at the F.J. Davey Home for their compassionate care in her final months.
Friends and family are invited to visit Arthur Funeral Home (492 Wellington St E., 705-759-2522) on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 10:30 am until the time of the service at 11:30 am with Rev. Laurie Stevenson officiating. Reception will follow. Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com obituaries section to leave a message of condolence as a keepsake for the family.