Luckham, Barbara Joy (nee McNicholl) of Ridgetown, formerly of St. Williams, Norfolk County, passed away at the Chatham-Kent Hospice, on Thursday December 21, 2017 in her 88th year. Barbara was born on October 28, 1930 in Toronto, Ontario.
Barbara attended highschool in Etobicoke and then graduated from Mac Hall – University of Guelph where she studied Home Economics. This is where she met the love of her life Donald Graham Luckham who predeceased her in April of 2016 after recently celebrating their 65th Wedding Anniversary. In 1957, Don and Barbara with their two eldest children, Michael and Pamela, moved to Ridgetown. Once in Ridgetown, the family welcomed their third child Randy.
Barbara was an active and engaged member of the community serving as Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star – Walsingham Lodge in Port Rowan, Past President of the Ridgetown Public School Home and School Association, Treasurer of the Ridgetown Figure Skating Club, Regent of the Ridgetown IODE Confederation Chapter, the first female chair of the Erie St. United Church Board, a member of Ridge Players, member of the Ridgetown Golf and Curling Club, volunteer of over fifteen years at two genealogy branches in Chatham, most notably compiler of the stories of the previously unknown, 100 British Home Children who were placed in Lambton County, she enjoyed over sixty years of her bridge club, dedicated member of a local book club, and she tirelessly supported her husband Don at the Ridgetown Agricultural College, and his municipal and provincial political involvements.
Barbara will be greatly missed by her children Michael and wife Yda Luckham of Ridgetown, Pam and husband Scott McKinlay of Morpeth, and Randy and wife Dawn Luckham of Dresden. Very proud Grandmother of Vickie Janeczek and husband Pat and their children Grady and Max, Julie Sutphen and husband Edwin, Harris Luckham, Kerry McKinlay, Nikki McKinlay, Shannon Luckham – Pickard and husband Andrew and their children Clark and Lily, and Meghan Metcalfe and husband Matt and their child Rowan.
Sister-in-law of Jane Taylor, Jackie Cruickshank, late John Mason, late Grace Cope, late Scott Luckham, late Richard Luckham, and late Robert Luckham.
Special Aunt to Kathy Symington and husband Wayne, and Karen Tubb and husband David. Will also be missed by several nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by her parents Margaret nee Protz and Michael Leo McNicholl.
Visitation will be held at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 76 Main St. E., Ridgetown, on Thursday December 28, 2017 from 2-4 pm and 7-9pm.. The Funeral Service to be held on Friday December 29, at 1pm at the Funeral Home. Cremation to follow. Interment will be held at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Ridgetown.
Donations in memory of Barbara may be made to the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, or the Ridgetown IODE Confederation Chapter. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.
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