Barbara Gunther
April 29, 1941 - December 29, 2025
Funeral Details: January 2, 2026 at 12:00pm The Christian Community Church
Barbara Gunther, 84 years old, passed away at home in her apartment at Hesperus Village in Richmond Hill on December 29, 2025.
She is lovingly survived by her daughter Stephanie Gunther and her husband Michael Seaman of Napier, New Zealand, and her brothers and their wives Mathias and Patricia Guenther of Milton, Ontario, and Georg and Kim Gunther of Hastings, Ontario. She was preceded in death by her brother Andreas Gunther.
Born in Danzig, Poland in 1941, she made her way to Germany as a child, eventually emigrating to Toronto, Canada in 1956. She lived most of her adult life in the Toronto area, but also live in Elliott Lake, Ontario from 2003 - 2016. Her studies in art history and library science led to a long career at the Toronto Reference Library, retiring in 1999 after over 20 years of service. Barbara was a long-time member of the Christian Community Church, and the Anthroposophical Society in Canada.
Services will be held on Friday, January 2 at 12:00 at the Christian Community Church at 901 Rutherford Road in Vaughn. Relatives and friends are welcome.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Hesperus Village at 1 Hesperus Road, Unit 130, Vaughan, ON or through their website at hesperus.ca.
Memories and messages of condolence may be left below.
Peaceful Transition York
Annette Brandt
Posted on: Friday, January 2, 2026Our love and condolences during this very sad time. We keep you in our thoughts and prayers and hold memories of Barbara dearly in our hearts.
Steph Gunther
Posted on: Friday, January 2, 2026Mom, Mutti, Great Maternal One of the North. I miss you terribly, but I’m eternally grateful for the time we had together. I’ll cherish every memory, every laugh, every smile, every hug, every moment together.
You were a wonderful mother and I learned so much from you. You taught me to find solace in nature when life became heartbreaking and I’m following that advice now. There is so much beauty and life out there.
HDL forever
Your Steph
Madison McKay
Posted on: Saturday, January 3, 2026Rest in peace and well wishes to the family. Much family is awaiting her.
Michael Seaman
Posted on: Tuesday, January 6, 2026Thank you for being a great Schwiegermutter (just don’t ask me to pronounce it!) and for having such a wonderful daughter.
Much love and laughter and deep discussions.
Fare-thee-well!
Stu & Marylynne Chamney
Posted on: Tuesday, January 6, 2026Our deepest condolences to you and Michael. Your Mom was wonderful friend . She will be greatly missed.
Allan Pequegnat
Posted on: Tuesday, January 6, 2026It was great getting to know Barbara as our next door neighbour. Upon her arrival in Elliot Lake, she hit the road running….enthusiastically contributing her gifts to the rich fabric of our retirement community in so many ways. We enjoyed attending her stimulating presentations given at White Mountain Art College and Pearson Civic Centre. Barbara had a wide range of interests that included making handcrafted jewelry in her workshop, bio dynamic farming, classical music, art, and connecting with nature. As we bid her farewell, we’ll cherish the fond memories we had of our dear Barbara!
Allan and Dzintra