"The song has ended, but the melody lingers on." - Irving Berlin.

Barbara, affectionately known as Baba, peacefully passed away in her home on February 20th, 2025. By her side were her daughter and only child, Judith Demeter-Newbold, and her son-in-law, Bill Conforti providing immense love and comfort in her final days.

Baba was born on April 12th, 1937, in the small town of Dunakeszi, Hungary just 20 km from Budapest, bringing great joy to her gentle mother, Irén Tárnyik (Blatthnyi), and father, Ferenc Tárnyik. Joining their family 7 years later was Baba’s cherished younger sister, Marika Tarnyik (Novák). They are now all reunited together again in God’s Kingdom.

Barbara was, and remained, a stoic and willful woman enduring the hardships of World War II in Soviet Union-occupied Hungary right up to the age of 19 and her daring escape from her motherland during the 1956 Revolution. Her arduous and solo journey brought her to the new homeland of Canada. Her initial arrival was in Quebec but she settled in her beloved city of Toronto where she found dear friendships, exciting adventures, and life's freedoms and independence.

She went on to marry, raise her daughter, and work tirelessly in the Food & Beverage Industry as a Restaurant Manager until her retirement.

Baba's courageous heart and fighting spirit carried her through many of life's challenges including her recent cancer diagnosis, but in the end, she was at peace, ready to surrender, and she knew that this was not a solo journey.

Her love and respect for nature and Mother Earth made her a committed conservationist, never wasteful, and always considering how she could leave the earth with minimum negative impact.

She will be deeply missed by her Chestnut Pl. Condo community, her long-time Hungarian friends, her adored niece, Agnes Novák, her great-nephew, Balász Riger, and forever missed by her daughter, Judi.

A Celebration of Life of her will be arranged in the Spring and specific details will be posted later.