Obituary of Barbara Maureen Di Rienzo (Nee Colbran)

Born in Apple Hill Ontario April 8, 1940. Passed away peacefully at the Queensway Carleton Hospital on September 19, 2025. Barbara Di Rienzo in her 86th year beloved wife of the late Carmine Di Rienzo for 67 years. Loving Mother of Michael Di Rienzo (Carol), Rosann Di Rienzo (Salvatore), Cathy Irvine (Matt), and the late Brenda Jonas (Will). Special Mom (grandma) to Laura Di Rienzo (Lance), special Nonna to Cristian Gianfagna (Lindsay), Davide Gianfagna (Valentina), Roberto Gianfagna (Regina). Special Nana to Brena Irvine (Seth), Lucas Irvine, Brian Di Rienzo (Amber), and Jessica Jonas (Maddie). A very special Nana to Addyson, Kaylyn, Lanny and Jay. Giovanni, Vito, Salvatore, Kevin and Luca. Dear daughter of the late Harold and Nancy Colbran.

Dear sister to Lois Macleod (Campbell), Phyllis VanEgmond (Ed), Deanna MacKillican (Gary), the late Merilyn Colbran (Lorne), Jimmy Colbran (Barb). Dear sisterinlaw to Pierino Di Rienzo (Angiolina), Giacomo Di Rienzo (Carmela) the late Nicolina Di Rienzo, Christina Romano (Giovanni), Antoinetta Canzona (Giuseppe). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Born in a small town in SouthEastern Ontario growing up Barbara was always helping out her father on the farm. Watching and learning to sew, knit and quilt with her mother quickly became a passion of hers. As a teenager she decided to pick up and move to the big city of Ottawa to work. This is where she would meet her husband Carmine. They started a family together, as well as starting her many years at work with the Queensway Carleton Hospital in the food preparation sector. Many children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren later you will be forever missed and always in our hearts. May you rest in peace forever with the love of your life, a true love story until the end.

A special thanks to the Queensway Carleton Hospital staff for the wonderful care given to Barbara for the past few months. As well as the hospice staff towards the end of life for keeping her comfortable and safe.

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