Barbara Annette Brinston McLeod

The Funeral Service for Barbara Annette Brinston McLeod will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.

Please click HERE for the link.

After a hard fight filled with courage, resilience, tears, heartache, and still so much hope, Barbara Annette Brinston McLeod, passed away on April 27th 2026 surrounded by her loved ones.

This is a battle she never asked for, but still fought it with everything she had. Through the longest days and the hardest nights, she kept showing up. She kept holding on to the people she loved and the life she was fighting so desperately to keep. Barb hoped and prayed that one day she would win.

With hearts aching beyond words, we share that cancer has won this battle, but it did not take who Barb was. It did not take her spirit, her love, or the way she made people feel safe and cared for. That is the part of Barb that remains. It will live on in every memory, every story, every laugh shared, every garden she created, and every life she touched.

To her family, Barb was the strongest, most dedicated, hardworking, and caring person they have ever known. She was stubborn, but only because she protected what she loved. She had the biggest heart, even when she tried to hide it behind tough love. Barb paved the way for her children. She worked hard, and she always made sure her family was taken care of. Most of all, she made sure her children and grandchildren never doubted how deeply they were loved.

Barb was predeceased by her parents, Edna Hiscock and George Brinston; her baby brother, who passed at birth; the man who lovingly stepped into the role of her father, George Butterworth; her sister and forever friend, Georgina Fitzpatrick; her beloved dog, Nico; and many many dear friends throughout the years.

Barb lived through more loss than anyone should have to carry, and she carried that grief with strength. Now we can only hope and pray that everyone she missed along the way is waiting for her, ready to hold her close again. We pray she is at peace, surrounded by love, and finally free from pain.

Barb did not fear dying as much as she was sad, sad because she knew how much she was going to miss her people, and everything she was leaving behind.

She leaves behind a large family and a lifetime of memories. Barb built a legacy. She leaves them with a love that can never be replaced.

Left to mourn her is her husband and best friend, Frankie McLeod. The way they loved each other unwaveringly showed their children what kindness, loyalty, and true partnership looks like. She also leaves behind the two who will miss her the most, her dogs Odie and Charlee. They were her constant companions, and wherever Barb went, they went. Even sharing the same birth date, Barb and Charlee could not have been any more alike. Charlee is truly Barb’s mini-me. They will spend a lifetime looking for you in all the places you used to be.

Also left to mourn her are her children, Chad Westcott; Samantha Theriault (Derek Atwood); Mia Theriault (Michael Snow); and Randi Lee (Dee) Theriault (Zack Maddigan); her stepchildren, Jocelynn Buchkowsky (Bobby Buchkowsky) and Kody Theriault (Wren Cliff); her daughter-in-law, Lisa Power; as well as special friends of her children whom she loved as her own.  Her children meant so much to her and were truly part of her heart and home.

She leaves behind her grandchildren, Abi, Alexis, Alba, Brynlee, Ava, Aiden, and Florence, who were her pride and joy. They were her brightest light, and on the hardest days, they were what kept her going.

Barb always referred to herself as “an only child but a sister to many.” With that, she is lovingly remembered by her siblings, family, and friends who know how special they were to her, including but not limited to Jessie Neville (Rick Neville), Doris Hillier (Donald Hillier), Rex Brinston (Julie Brinston), Todd Penney (Melissa Penney), Calvin Penney (Sherri Penney), Jamie Penney (Kerry Vienneau), Lisa Chafe (Howard Chafe), Donna Hillier, David Hillier (Christine Hillier), Randy Hillier (Darlene), Brenda Skanes, Cathy Skanes, the siblings she gained from the Butterworth family, and many many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Also leaving to mourn are the members of the Mcleod family.

Barb also leaves behind her closest friends, Nicole, Patti, Gilda, Marie, Nerrissa, the BP Girls, everyone she spent time with at The West End Club, and Fiddlers, and all those who made an impact throughout the years, in every phase of her life. There are so so many. You know exactly who you are. Barb was known and loved by so many it would be impossible to name everyone, but please know that you are not forgotten, and she loved every single one of you wholeheartedly.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 4th at Carnell’s Funeral Home located at 329 Freshwater Road from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm. Barb’s funeral will be held at the Carnell Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, May 5th at 10am.

We will keep Barb’s memory alive the way she would have wanted, through stories, laughter, and the people she loved most. We will also continue her annual Garden Party, a tradition that was truly a reflection of her. She loved her friends, she loved her gardens, and she loved to dance. This will be her celebration of life, and everyone who knew and loved Barb is welcome to come, to remember her, and to carry her with us. More details to follow at a later date.

Barb will be missed more than words can say, and loved beyond measure, forever and always. In her honour, take a moment to stop and turn on the song “Lonely Drum” and have a dance for her, because that is exactly how she would want to be remembered.