Barbara Laing-Hiseler

In the comfort of her home, surrounded by family, Barb went to be with her Lord and Saviour on November 13, 2022.

Barb was born in Kingston, Jamaica and even though she moved to Canada in 1973, the country and people of Jamaica were always near and dear to her heart.  Prior to moving to Canada, she adopted her dear son Rich and retired from Barclay’s Bank.  They settled in London, Ontario near her brothers Owen, Ian and Trevor and sister Shirley.  Drawing on her experience as a trainer for Barclay’s Bank, her first job was to teach English as a Second Language.  Shortly after that she enrolled at Western University’s Huron College to complete a Bachelor’s degree in English and History and then obtained a Master’s in Theology degree while living in Agincourt.  She did all of this as a mature student, returning to school in her fifties.

As a United Church minister, Barb served in Dashwood / Zurich and Dutton / Cowal / West Lorne.  It was in this season that Rich met and married Donna Jo.  Shortly after, Barb moved to Port Colborne for her final placement as a minister.  It was here that she met the love of her life, Stan Hiseler.  This also brought love into her life through Kathy and Corey Adams, Mark and Marilyn Hiseler, Ross Hiseler and Tracey Morris, Tracey Lindsay as well as Anne Hiseler and Rob Collier.   After retiring, Stan and Barb moved to Bracebridge to live on the shores of beautiful Lake Muskoka.

Over the years her family grew with grandchildren Justin and Alexa Laing, Matt Laing and Lauren Laing as well as Blair and Sammy Hiseler, Trevor Hiseler and Lexi Tibbetts, Paige and Greg Bodner and Sarah and Ryan Storring.  Great-grandchildren were a special source of joy including Hayden Bodner, Trey Storring, Charlie Hiseler, Hailey Bodner, Tristan Storring.  Other very special people in Barb’s life were Heather and Dave Kohl as well as Shannon and Stephanie.

Barb’s retirement years were filled with involvement at the Bracebridge United Church including guest preaching into her 80s.  In addition, she travelled with Stan to serve in CESO projects in Jamaica, Romania, China and Columbia.  Solo visits back to Jamaica to see Kim and Kadian Ingleton continued into her early 90s.  She spent much of the last few years enjoying time exchanging witty banter with Stan as well as singing songs from their past and enjoying the view of the lake.  Her favourite weeks were when family came to Bracebridge to stay in the cottage that Stan built which is next door to their home.

She will be missed by so many whose lives she touched through her love, kind words and the prayers she prayed.  A very special thank you goes to Rae Lowe who loved and cared for both Barb and Stan in so many ways and made it possible for them to continue living their dream on the shores of Lake Muskoka.

Friends wishing to honour Barb with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Red Cross – Simcoe Muskoka Branch (Meals on Wheels Program).   Their monthly visits and delivery of frozen meals were always welcomed by Barb (and Stan).

https://www.redcross.ca/in-your-community/ontario/nutrition-and-transportation/meals-on-wheels/simcoe-muskoka-branch-meals-on-wheels