Barbara MacLean

Barbara Weir (Fraleigh) MacLean of Blenheim passed away peacefully at Blenheim Community Village on Saturday March 14, 2015 at the age of 86.

Born in London, Ontario she was the beloved wife and partner of J. Lachlan MacLean (2009) and the daughter of the late Sidney A. and Cecille (McLurg) Fraleigh of Forest. The dear mother of Deborah Ann MacLean-Brine and her husband Bob Brine of London; the late Heather Fraleigh MacLean- Meek (2004) and her husband Fred Meek of London ; Ian Lachlan MacLean and his wife Mara Sperandio-MacLean of Vancouver; Stephanie Lynn MacLean and her husband Ralph Romano of Blenheim. The adored grandmother of Meggan Brine, Cameron Meek, Fiona Meek, Nicolas MacLean, Sophia MacLean, Clara Romano and Eric Romano. Great -Grandmother of Heather Richmond. Dear Sister of Ann Manning (John) of Forest; Sidney Fraleigh Jr. (Velma) of Forest and Janet Smart (David) of Chatham. Sister-in- law of Phyllis Nelson (William-2013) of Peterborough. Barb will be missed by her many close, loving friends and fondly remembered by a number of nieces and nephews.

Barbara graduated from the School of Journalism at University of Western Ontario in 1950, a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She married Lachlan in 1951 and their careers took them to Windsor, Toronto, Sarnia and Blenheim. Barb was a journalist for the Sarnia Observer newspaper, member of I. O. D. E. in Sarnia and Blenheim and served as Regent of both chapters, a past president of University Women’s Club in Sarnia, and a member of the Golden Acres Curling /Club in Blenheim. She was active in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Sarnia. Her connections were strong as a CGIT leader and convener of United Church Women at the Blenheim United Church where in 1965 she became the Assistant to the Minister in Christian Education and Leadership. She was a secondary school supply teacher in Kent County. Always an energetic volunteer, she was a past chairperson of the Chatham-Kent Advisory Board of the CNIB. She was an active supporter of the blind and deaf-blind and was named to the Board of Directors, Ontario Division for CNIB. After her retirement she never failed to contribute her help and advice to the many volunteers who offered their time and services to the CNIB. In 2001, Barbara received recognition from the federal government for outstanding service and contribution as a volunteer. A loving mother she looked forward, with great anticipation to the family cottage holidays at Hillsboro Beach. She was an ardent swimmer all her life, loved to travel and will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Barbara’s family is appreciative of the care and compassion provided by the staff of the Blenheim Community Village Nursing Home who cared for Barb over the past 10 years and particularly over this past month. The family also valued the medical care of Dr. Martha Clendenning.

Family and Friends are invited to the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Friday March 27, 2015 for visitation from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. followed a memorial service and celebration of life at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim, at a later date. Memorial contributions to the Chatham-Kent Alzheimer’s Society’s Day Program, the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (Windsor -Essex-Kent District) or the Blenheim United Church Benevolent Fund are asked to be considered.