Obituary of Barbara Daly

Our mom, Barbara Ann Daly, passed from this life to the next at about 2pm yesterday. She died of natural causes at the age of 89. We believe mom is at rest and at peace, no more suffering and no more pain.

Mom was iconic. If you knew her, you had at least one story that you would likely never forget. One friend shared how Mom taught her how to ski…another mentioned Mom took her out to a dinner that included a Shirley Temple her own parents would never give her...and another dear friend said she was the most attractive woman she had ever met. We know we will be hearing countless more memories…and we will be surely sharing so many stories and moments of our own. Some will be deep and many will be hysterically funny.

Mom loved to travel. She loved meeting new people, seeing new places, experiencing life to the fullest. No one appreciated a beautiful day more than mom. She always noticed the brilliance of a blue sky, the burst of colors in spring…and actually knew quite a lot about plants and flowers and especially flowering trees. Like the dogwood that are blooming right now. She loved to sing and she loved to dance…and back in the day she loved to play tennis. Mom was an early entrepreneur, running house sales and garage sales from treasures she collected and doing the same for others too.

Mom was known for her quick wit and deep emotions. She was funny and silly, especially with her grandkids, who brought her tremendous joy. She spoke truth unabashedly. She cried at every wedding, every parade, and every classic old movie…especially the romantic ones.

Mom began showing signs of dementia 13 years ago. Once she settled in at Cranes Mill, it was as though she had a new lease on life. We had a miraculous few years with her while she was still able to get out and enjoy life with mild dementia. These years were an unexpected gift.

We are saddened that we couldn’t spend more time with mom in her last days due to COVID-19. But we are cheered by our Lauren’s words and imagine with her…

“Maybe that world she’s been in for so long now made her last moments be the most beautiful amazing things she’s loved all of her life. Maybe every moment she’s collected as stunning and gorgeous and exciting and loving and fun throughout her whole life (and that’s a lot because she really did love and enjoy so much despite herself!) just showed up in her last breaths on earth and that’s what she felt and saw as she went on to join the stars and God and whatever else happens when we go. Maybe her life was so hard but her last minutes were the most beautiful thing she ever experienced.

Let’s imagine that, when you die, no matter what the circumstance, if you spent any time at all appreciating, feeling grateful, noticing beauty, tasting flavors, crying from joy, soaking in sun, loving your family and friends, seeing the beauty of life for the miracle it is...that lifelong collection is what surrounds you in your final breaths.” We are sorry that we cannot celebrate her life sooner with our loved ones. But there will come a day when we can gather again. And we take great joy in the truth of the words

our friend Margo who is also a pastor said, “Her journey is done, she is finally home, finally complete, finally at peace. I thank God for your mom today because she gave four awesome women to the world, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren! She has made her mark on many. May she now Rest in Peace.”

Mom’s initials were BAD – Barbara Ann Daly.

Beauty

Adventure

Drama

That was our mom.

Happy Easter blessings to all,

Seton, Elise, Phyllis, and Shelagh