Barbara Alberta Dunn
Sydney Mines
February 26, 1935 – August 19, 2020

It is with profound sadness that we, the family of Barbara Alberta Dunn, announce her peaceful passing at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.  Ma, the oldest of six siblings, was born on February 26, 1935 in North Sydney, but lived most of her life in Sydney Mines.  
In her earlier years, she worked at Francis’s Bookstore, a job she often talked about. She also worked for many years at MacQuarrie’s Restaurant. She began working in housekeeping at the Northside General Hospital and during that time, she returned to school to upgrade, and was then hired by the Nuns to work in the Administration Office. She retired in 1996. Ma and John F. enjoyed many retirement years in Black Rock surrounded by family and friends.  Their love and friendship was truly special.
Ma worked very hard to raise a large family of nine children – we are forever grateful and will so miss our Mother, Nanny, and friend.
Ma loved being outdoors from a very early age. She was a beautiful skater and was once a champion tennis player.  Swimming was one of her biggest passions. She loved nothing more than getting in the cold ocean waters to go for a swim. Sewing, painting, and knitting were also some of the hobbies that Ma truly enjoyed.  She was a very giving person and would give to anyone in need, whether it was a pair of socks, a pair of handmade mittens or dishcloth, a meal, or a bed to sleep in.
She leaves behind her children Patricia Quinn (Sam); Ellen Dunn; Monica Lamothe (Dan); Ann Ling (John); Bill Dunn (Cathy); Sandy Dunn; Norma Benac (Monty); Sharon Leonard (Larry) and Lorna Jardine (Kevin). Also left to mourn are her three sisters, Joan Connors, Norma Gates, Brenda Davis her sister-in-law Ann Thomas, brother-in-law David Bailey; 15 grandchildren - Janice, Carolyn, Daniel, Howard, Justin, Rene Marcel, Alex, Katie, TJ, Christopher, Quentin, Mariah, Madison, Emily and Hannah; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  
Ma was predeceased by her parents Kathleen and Burt Davis; her husband John F. Bailey; sister Nan; brother Curtis
Words cannot express our gratitude and thanks for all those who helped our mother.  In particular, Dr. Michele McKeough; the staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the Northside Community Guest Home; and staff/volunteers at the Harborview Seniors Program.
Ma is now holding hands with John; we will miss her immensely.
It’s Ma’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Palliative Care or St. Vincent de Paul.
A family celebration of her great life will take place on Saturday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Cemetery, Yorke St., Sydney Mines. All are welcome.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to her family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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