Sybil Mercer

Obituary

Sybil Josephine (née Barger) Mercer, 89, passed away suddenly on December 21, 2025, surrounded by her family. She will be forever missed by her children, Barb and her husband Bill Nonnewitz and Jim Mercer and his wife Laura, and her grandchildren Michael, Jody, Patrick, and Caitlin. She is predeceased by her son David, her parents Howard and Ida (née Hamilton) Barger, her brothers Alan and Jim, and her husband Dr. Donald Mercer.

A very special thank you to Vicky Cooper Pickup for your years of friendship to our family; Scott & Trish Saunders for your un-ending patience and caring; Mary (our angel in disguise) and Bob Rodgers, Connie and Rick Barker for all your support over these past few years. A call-out to Dr Dave Billings, words cannot express enough how you helped our Mother and us through this difficult time and your bedside approach was so touching, something our Dad would be so proud to see in his 38 years of doctoring. The nursing staff was beyond phenomenal with extra care and sweetness shown to our Mother – Thank-you to Kealey, Ashley, Alexis, Lindsey, Kim, Mikayla, and Makayla – you all make a difference.

Sybil lived a life dedicated to caring for others—as a nurse, a devoted mother, and a committed community leader. Raised in Lucknow, Ontario born Dec 12, 1936 she was often piggy backed to the one-room stone schoolhouse by her older brother James. In 1955 she trained in nursing at Victoria Hospital in London, where as a wallflower at a Western University dance she met herfuture husband, Donald Mercer. Sybil would cherish her nursing friendships over the years getting together annually for many many years with Beth, Janet, Jean, Joan, and Kay.

Married on Sept 19, 1959, they arrived in Southampton in 1960 and never looked back as “Dr Don” took over the Laird medical practice in the Dr’s house at 135 High Street. Sybil would answer the office phones and by 1963 she had 3 young children to make family life very busy! Over the next few years, she became a taxi to figure skating, gym, dance, skiing, curling and the hospital for several injuries and breaks for the children.

An active contributor to community life, Sybil served on local boards, supported home-care programs, and was deeply involved in the Chantry Island Chambettes for 27 years. During the 1980’s, she served as President of Southern Ontario Ladies Curling and a Delegate to the Canadian Curling Board, traveling to meetings and competitions across Canada. Sybil would also go on to coach her son’s Junior Men’s team to the Ontario finals twice and represented Canada on an international curling tour in 1990. She later served on the Saugeen Golf Club Board for 15 years, including two as President. Not to forget the 2 holes-in-one achievements!!

Sybil approached life with optimism, energy, and generosity. After the loss of their son David in 1978, she found comfort and purpose in fibre arts, founding what would become the Chantry School of Rug Hooking. This would soon grow to be 5 days duration, 3-5 teachers and over the next 35+ years 50-75 women from all over would sign up annually – always full. Of course itwould be a family event with Barb attending, even the year Grandpa would babysit 3 month old Michael… What a lovely social gathering of like-minded talent, Sybil was in her glory.

The Chantry Centre 50+, which stands today as a Seniors (50+) gathering place, exists in large part because of her vision, her leadership, and her belief in what community can mean. Along with her friend Vicky Cooper Pickup, starting in 1992 they secured funding, inspired volunteers, painted walls, moved furniture, and gave countless hours. Sybil would later receive the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Southampton Rotary in recognition of getting the Chantry Centre off the ground! At one point both Sybil and dear friend Nancy Forsyth were considered too young to sign off on paperwork and needed to request assistance from Rotarians for this task.

Along the way, Sybil was also known for her delicious soups for Tuesday lunches, of course she baked when needed for special events and supplied an abundance of homemade cookies for the famous COOKIE WALK at the Chantry Centre. Needless to say, having her grandchildren visit often resulted in lots of cookies being sent home. A pillar of Southampton for more than half a century, Sybil gave endlessly of her time and talents. She taught, mentored, guided, and encouraged. She made people feel welcome, needed, and valued. But Sybil’s devotion to community extended far beyond one building.

She cherished the small joys: chatting you up on the street, sharing stories, welcoming neighbours, and spending time with her beloved puppy Snoopy who now is hanging out with Luna (an energetic Aussie) and Jim’s family in Oakville – not to worry as she is getting lots of exercise.

Known for her warmth, her delicious soups and cookies, and sharing her beloved hand-crafted punch-needle coasters as her way of saying ‘Thank you for caring’.

Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the community she helped build.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring at the Chantry Centre (of course) in Southampton.

If desired memorial donations may be made to the Chantry Centre (50+)