Barbara Ann Steele

Barbara Ann Steele, 87, of Atlanta, Michigan, formerly of Detroit and Farmington, Michigan, passed away on July 22, 2025. She was born June 18, 1938 to John and Margaret “Peg “Steele in Detroit. She graduated from Christopher Columbus Elementary School and in 1956 from Edwin Denby High School in Detroit. She moved to Canada Creek Ranch in July, 1994, having retired after 37 years at the Detroit Edison company. She was an officer of the Detroit Edison Camera Club and secretary of the Greater Detroit Council of Camera Clubs. She also worked in housekeeping at Garland Golf Course and in the office and security for Canada Creek Ranch.

She liked to read, play cards, take photographs, attend musical concerts, and was a star fan of barbershop music. She was very active at Canada Creek Ranch serving on the CCR Historical Committee, creating the CCR cabin owners' telephone list, and emailing a membership newsletter to over 800 members, called "Barb's Blurbs." She wrote the Canada Creek Ranch news column for the Montmorency Tribune for 21 years. She was also a member of the CCR Book Club.

Barbara was a member and chair of the Entertainment Committee, Secretary to the Cabin Owners Committee, and second woman Director on the CCR board in 1975. She was also member and co-chair of the Environmental Committee, member of the Long-range Planning Committee, member of the CCR Computer Club, and secretary of the "Friday Night Ladies" dinner group. Barbara was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Committee, where she consistently worked for the CCR Gift Shop and chaired a few Spring Fling and Fall Harvest dinners. She was the Auxiliary welcome lady to new ranch residents and ran a bottle and can collection program, which made over $5,000 for the Auxiliary. She also was secretary of the CCR Red Hatters "Jolly Red Ranchers."

Barbara is survived by loving feline companion Cooper, her friends, Rick and Sandra Otto, Jo-Carole and Gary Zechel, Earl and Vickie Sowers, Laura Reilley, Marion Wood, Dan Marcrum, Bob Ruch, Russ and Marilyn Clark, and Dee and Gene Adams. She is also survived by cousins Joan King and Sandy Miller.

There will be a memorial held in celebration of Barbara’s life at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at the Canada Creek Ranch dining room. Donations may be made in memory of Barbara to the CCR Historical Committee or the Elk Country Animal Shelter in Atlanta, Michigan.