It is with great sadness that we announced the passing of Aina (nee Whiting) Baron on Saturday the 16th of March 2025, 14 days short of her 94th birthday.
Aina was a very well-known and much-loved member of The Dryden, Barclay and surrounding communities. As The Pianist in the Rhythm Rascals, as the face the public met at Bill Caren Insurance, the chairwoman of the Barclay School Board, as the co-author of the Bedford history book (Sybil Willard) the leader of the Barclay Women’s Institute. She was most recently loved in print for her “Canadiana” style autobiography “Stumbling Along on the Trail of the Past” which was featured at a local bookstore.

Amongst her achievements were a happy marriage to Robert John Whiting (deceased)and five unique children from that relationship. Wayne, Wendy (deceased), Gregory, Bradley(deceased) and Lisa. All have remained in contact with their friends and relatives from the area despite living abroad. Her grandchildren whom she spent as much time as possible with will deeply miss her.

She taught everyone to love their neighbor, something she truly believed in. She shared her life with all she could and relished every moment of being involved. She believed in her own abilities, and took many risks, but above all she believed in her own ability to learn through sharing and the ability of others to do the same.

She was pre-deceased by her mother and father, and all her 11 siblings. There are many nieces and nephews surviving. The family started, arriving from Sweden to Kenora, then settling in the Eagle River area, a beginning close to her heart. She maintained Independence until the last 3 months of her life.

A family celebration of life is being scheduled in Chilliwack BC in May. Her last words to me were “love wins.”