Crystal Barrington

Crystal loved life, and life loved Crystal right back. She danced through her 69 years with a smile on her face, and she left this world in the same manner she lived; with dignity, grace, a touch of humor and surrounded by love.

Crystal was the third of Harold and Leanna Barrington’s four children and is sorrowfully missed by her siblings Ron, Bonnie (Dan Thibodeau) and Tom. She was born and raised in Eganville Ontario and had a treasure trove of stories from her childhood best characterized by adventure, friendship and the love of a close-knit family.

A career in High Tech would eventually lure Crystal from Eganville to Ottawa where she started her career with Digital Equipment and later, Wang. It was at Wang where Crystal’s co-workers quickly became her best friends. These friendships would go on to last a lifetime, even after Crys moved on to join Sun Microsystems and Oracle. At the heart of Crystal’s career success was her innate ability to connect with people. Her career was marked by more achievements and awards than could possibly be listed, many of them life experiences that she never thought possible (as she would put it) “for a young girl from small-town Eganville”.

Crystal was a natural athlete. She loved anything that would get her outdoors and active. She loved spending time at her cottage on Black Lake and would often be seen on her paddleboard heading down to visit good friends at the other end of the lake. She loved to dance…oohh Crystal loved to dance.

 She loved animals and most of all her dogs. Crystal joins Jazz and Lola in heaven, while Fergie and Nelly will miss her dearly at home (and miss the constant treats they got from Mom).

Of all Crystal’s accomplishments, the one of which she was most proud, was the birth of her daughter, Makena. Crystal’s richest rewards in life were the accomplishments of her daughter. She beamed with pride as she shared stories about Makena with her friends. Crystal floated on a cloud of pride with every one of Makena’s successes.

The day Crystal met Mark is a day for which we are all grateful, as it was from that day on that we got to watch their love story flourish. The two of them built a life together like one you see in romance movies - they travelled, they cottage’d, they built an incredible circle of friends, and despite much adversity, they started a beautiful family. Crystal and Mark absolutely adored one another, and showed their daughter everyday what unwavering, true love looked like. When Crys needed help to do her makeup, Mark picked up some blush & a brush and he learned the process. He did everything in his power for his bride just as he said he would on September 25, 1991 – ‘til death do us part.

Mark and Makena would like to invite all who were touched by Crystal’s love, friendship and grace to join in a celebration of her life at the Beechwood Cemetery with a visitation; Tuesday, April 12^th 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and at her funeral on Wednesday April 13^th at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow at Crystal, Mark and Makena’s home. Details to follow.

Crystal would love if all who attend all events, wear their brightest colors (not black)…a colorful celebration of a beautiful soul and a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers we would ask that you consider a donation to the Brain Health and Memory clinic at the Elizabeth Bruyere hospital www.bruyere.org/give

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