Barbara Ptak passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on Friday May 30th at UHN Reactivation Care Centre (Buttonwood). Predeceased by her husband, Richard Ptak. Loving mother of Elizabeth, Christopher and Yolanda. Devoted grandmother of Nathaniel, Noah and Zachary. Beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews, and Mother-in-Law to Michael and Robert.

Born on June 25, 1936, in Grodzisko Dolne, Poland, Barbara was the youngest of seven children raised by her devoted parents, Tomas and Marianne. After the early loss of her father, Barbara, alongside her mother and siblings, faced life’s challenges with resilience. In her early twenties, she emigrated from Poland to Canada aboard the MS Batory, a Polish ocean liner named after 16th-century King Stefan Batory. Remarkably, she arrived in Canada on her 25th birthday. Fifty years later, her family celebrated not only her 75th birthday but also five decades of her life in Canada.

Initially moving to Montreal to reunite with siblings, she met future husband Richard Ptak, an aircraft assembler. Moving to Toronto and marrying in 1963, the couple soon welcomed the first of their three children.

Seeking to better herself and the family, Barbara successfully completed courses in accounting, bookkeeping, and economics, receiving her Certificate in Commercial Accounting in 1973 from Humber College. Losing Richard in 1978, Barbara was now a single mother. To support her family, she took a job at Canada Life, and built a long and successful career.

A devoted mother, Barbara was also dedicated to Toronto’s Polish community. The Roncesvalles area was her home, and held a special place in her heart. For over three decades, much of Barbara’s volunteerism centered on the neighbourhood Copernicus Lodge. This saw her help raise money through garage sales – often “three to four thousand in one day,” she would say proudly – and selling kielbasa at the annual Roncesvalles Polish Festival. Spending every Tuesday at “the store,” as she called the Copernicus tuck shop, Barbara sold Polish snacks, bread, and milk to residents. Putting her talents as a bookkeeper to use, she helped raise well over a million dollars for the Lodge over the years.

Barbara continued to live independently long after her children had grown, married, and started families of their own. Her home remained the heart of family gatherings, especially during Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, where children, spouses, and grandchildren came together. As the years passed and these celebrations became more demanding, her family lovingly stepped in to handle the cooking and cleaning. In more recent times, Barbara faced additional challenges, including a hip replacement, a battle with lung cancer, and dementia. Although dementia may have erased some of her memories, it did not dim her spirit.

Following a stroke last December and a hospital stay; Barbara moved to the UHN Reactivation Care Centre (Buttonwood). It was there she was provided with acute care services, daily activities like bingo, art class, and balloon volleyball, with the goal of returning her to her community. Although she never returned to her home, Barbara’s impact on her neighbours, friends and community will remain eternal.

Visitation will take place at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, on Wednesday, June 4 from 4-8 p.m. The funeral mass will take place on Thursday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at St. Casimir's Parish, 156 Roncesvalles Avenue. Internment to follow at Riverside Cemetery and Crematorium, 1567 Royal York Road, Etobicoke.

Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to Copernicus Lodge Foundation.