Barbara Ann Ballachey Brickman

It is with both deep sorrow and immense gratitude that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Barbara Ann Brickman (nee Ballachey) who left us peacefully on May 21, 2025 at the age of 81. She was a remarkable woman whose strength, warmth, and spirit shaped our lives in ways we are only beginning to fully appreciate.
Born in Banff, Alberta and raised in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Barbara carried with her the resilience and grace of her northern roots throughout her life. She graduated from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec in 1965 with a degree with honors in mathematics-a rare and admirable achievement for a woman of her generation. Her intelligence, discipline, and unshakeable sense of integrity made her a respected tax accountant and a meticulous planner in all things. Whether organizing a family vacation, balancing a budget, or planning a new craft project, she did it with care and foresight.
Barbara was married to husband, Keith, for nearly 60 years, a partnership grounded in love, mutual respect, and an enduring sense of humor. Together they raised three children, Amanda, Charmaine, and Brian, and delighted in the joyful chaos of nine grandchildren. Her love for us was evident in every handmade sweater, every birthday cake, every perfectly cooked holiday feast.
Despite living with a chronic illness for nearly 30 years, Barbara never allowed it to define her. She lived with fierce courage and a determination to live life to its fullest, always focusing on the joys she could still experience and share with others. Her resilience and fighting spirit is a powerful lesson to all who knew her.
Barbara had an eye for beauty and a gift for creation. Her gardens bloomed with color and care, providing many memories of backyard barbecues and Easter Egg hunts for the grandchildren. Her hands were rarely still-knitting, crocheting, and sewing gifts that now feel even more precious. Many of her works found their way into the hands and hearts of church members, friends, and family alike. She was a dedicated member of the Fellowship Team and the Prayers Stitches group at St Paul's Episcopal Church.
Barbara was also a woman of deep curiosity and joy. She traveled widely with Keith, exploring the world with the same sense of adventure and wonder that she brought to every other part of her life. Following her husband's job, she lived in Istanbul for four years, where her younger two children were born, and three years in Singapore just before Keith retired. Whether attending a musical production, dancing at a family event, or simply gathering family and friends for a casual celebration, she embraced life's delights and shared them generously.
Barbara was more than the sum of her achievements. She was a constant presence, a source of unending devotion and care, and the heart of our family. Her legacy is one of love, perseverance, creativity, and laughter-and it lives on in each of us. We will miss her terribly, but we are forever grateful for the years we had and the memories she gave us.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 59 years (Keith) and their children: Amanda Elam (Cliff), Charmaine Stone (Michael), and Brian Brickman, and her beloved grandchildren: John, Margaret and Charles Elam; Isabelle, Nathaniel, Emma and Ben Stone; Hadley and Elaina Brickman. She is also survived by her beloved sister Rae Jelly and other family.
A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at St Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 31, at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Cary, NC[https://stpaulscary.org/] or the American Humane Society[https://www.americanhumane.org/] in honor of her memory.
Rest well, Barbara. You were everything to us.