Margaret Mary Barnaby-Ward

Margaret Mary Barnaby-Ward, a Mi’kmaq Elder and Indian residential school survivor and activist of Natoaganeg (Eel Ground), passed away surrounded by family at the Moncton City Hospital on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the age of 75.

Born in Miramichi, she was the daughter of the late Bertha Ward and Peter Jacobs. Margaret, a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, worked as a caretaker and was a member of St Joachim's Roman Catholic Church.

Margaret valued family, children’s rights, education, and the Mi’kmaq language. She created a safe, secure home where any child would feel welcomed and cared for deeply. Margaret was a skilled gardener. Just as she nurtured her favorite perennials, she cultivated deep roots of love and resilience. Margaret mastered the craft of quilting, leaving behind a lasting legacy of tradition and warmth. 

She will be greatly missed by her six children, Margie Ward, Ernest Ward, Jennifer Ward, Rosetta Ward, Misty Barnaby, and Kristy Barnaby, all of Eel Ground; her six sisters, Bertha Mountain, Patricia Ann "Patsy" Ramsay, Dorothy Ward and Barbara Ward all of Eel Ground, Mary Louise Rimers of Moncton and Nancy MacDonald of Miramichi; her brother, Kim Ward of Neguac; 17 grandchildren, Nicholas Simon, Kirstin Ward, Spencer Mitchell, Hannah Manderville, Piel Ward, Serenity Ward, Kai Ward, Wusko Dumas, Keestin Ward, Oakley Genova, Skylar Genova, Nolan Genova, Gianna Genova, Mikiedis Barnaby, Royken Barnaby, and Taj Augustine; and two great grandchildren, Taliyah Patles and Laken Ward; as well as many nieces and nephews, whom she cherished deeply.

Margaret will be welcomed by her predeceased parents, her husband Roy Barnaby; her grandson Achahk Dumas; her sisters, Margaret Hazel and Mary Theresa; and her brothers, Thomas, Peter Anthony, Edward John, Isaac, and Andrew.

We will miss your smiles, your stories, your turkey dinners, and our walks down to the river. Your best gift to us was each other. We will share your memories, stories and sayings, “oh dear,” and keep you in our hearts forever.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at Northumberland Funeral Home for the visitation on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 6 pm to 9 pm, and on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Joachim's Roman Catholic Church in Eel Ground, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 2 pm. Interment will take place in the church cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Mi'gmaq Child and Family Services https://www.mcfsnb.ca/.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Northumberland Funeral Home & Crematorium, 102 Pleasant St., telephone (506) 622-7741.

Where your loved one never leaves our care.