Janice Laking, a longtime Barrie civic leader and former mayor, has died at the age of 97, prompting tributes from former colleagues and members of the community she served for decades.
Laking became one of the most recognizable figures in Barrie’s public life through her years on city council and her 12-year tenure as mayor. The City of Barrie’s official historical records list her as mayor from 1988 to 2000.
Her public career was only one part of a life that also included decades as a teacher, involvement in community organizations and advocacy for causes important to Barrie residents.
Janice Laking’s Political and Civic Career
Laking entered municipal politics as a Barrie alderman in 1972, beginning a public-service career that would eventually take her to the mayor’s office.
She became mayor in 1988 and remained in the position until 2000, giving her one of the longest mayoral tenures in Barrie’s history. The city’s official list of mayors confirms her 1988-2000 term.
Her time in office coincided with a period of substantial growth and change in Barrie.
Former colleagues have remembered her as a determined and practical leader who could also approach civic issues with sensitivity and compassion.
A Teacher Before Becoming Mayor
Before entering the mayor’s office, Laking spent nearly three decades working in education.
She taught at Barrie North Collegiate, where she also worked as a physical education coach. She remained in education until 1988, when she left teaching to take on the mayoralty.
Her experience as an educator formed another significant part of her connection with the community.
Through teaching, coaching and municipal service, Laking interacted with generations of Barrie residents in different stages of their lives.
Preserving Barrie’s Railway Connection
One of the major civic issues associated with Laking’s time as mayor was the effort to preserve the railway line connecting Barrie with Bradford.
When Canadian National Railway planned to remove the tracks, Laking worked with the city and provincial government in an effort to preserve the route.
The city ultimately participated in a $3.1 million purchase of the railway line, helping protect the transportation corridor.
The preserved rail connection later became significant to the development of GO Transit service to Barrie, adding a lasting transportation dimension to Laking’s municipal legacy.
Janice Laking Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Janice Ruth Laking |
| Age | 97 |
| Known for | Former Barrie mayor, alderman, teacher and community leader |
| Mayor of Barrie | 1988-2000 |
| Municipal service began | 1972 |
| Education career | Barrie North Collegiate |
| Cause of death | Not disclosed |
| Date of death | Not provided |
| Funeral arrangements | Not provided |
The City of Barrie’s historical records identify her full name as Janice Ruth Laking and confirm her service as mayor from 1988 through 2000.
Family Roots in Barrie
Public service was part of the Laking family history.
Janice was the daughter of Duncan McCuaig, who served as mayor of Barrie from 1928 to 1931 before later representing Simcoe North in the House of Commons.
She attended the University of Western Ontario and married John Laking in 1952.
Her family’s connection to Barrie and her own decades of civic involvement placed her within a long history of community life in the city.
Community Work Beyond City Hall
Laking’s involvement with Barrie did not end with municipal politics.
She supported a range of community causes and was an advocate for women participating in public office.
Her community involvement included the MacLaren Art Centre, where a gallery carries her name, as well as work connected to the YMCA and the Sir Robert Barrie Project.
The Sir Robert Barrie Project helped celebrate the history surrounding Barrie’s namesake and contributed to the establishment of Sir Robert Barrie Day.
These activities reflected interests that extended beyond municipal government and into the cultural and community life of the city.
Former Colleagues Remember Janice Laking
Former colleagues have highlighted different aspects of Laking’s personality and approach to public service.
Former city councillor Dave Morrison remembered her as an extraordinary individual whose leadership brought together determination, sensitivity, passion and practicality.
Barry Ward, who later served on Barrie council for more than two decades, also recalled Laking’s dedication to improving the city and her willingness to express her views directly.
Those recollections provide a picture of a public figure who was not afraid to speak openly while remaining committed to the community she served.
The Knitting Needles That Became a Council Memory
One of the more distinctive stories associated with Laking’s time on council involved her knitting.
During her years as an alderman, she was known for knitting during council and committee meetings. The sound of her knitting needles reportedly became familiar to people in the chamber.
When she became mayor, however, she reportedly stopped knitting during meetings.
The story has become one of the lighter personal details remembered alongside her much more consequential public-service record.
It illustrates the personality that colleagues encountered behind the formal responsibilities of municipal office.
Janice Laking Cause of Death
The cause of Janice Laking’s death has not been disclosed in the information available for this article.
No specific illness, medical condition or other circumstance should be attributed to her passing without confirmation from her family or another reliable source.
Her death at 97 has instead prompted reflection on a life that included decades of teaching, municipal leadership and community involvement.
Funeral and Memorial Information
Funeral, visitation and memorial arrangements for Janice Laking were not included in the information available.
Details about services may be announced by her family or representatives at a later time.
Those arrangements could provide an opportunity for former colleagues, community members, friends and residents to gather and honor her memory.
Until then, tributes and recollections of her public service offer an early reflection on the life she devoted to Barrie.
Remembering Janice Laking
Janice Laking leaves behind a public record spanning several decades.
She was an educator before becoming a municipal politician, served Barrie as an alderman and mayor, and remained involved in community causes after leaving office.
Her time as mayor coincided with a transformative period for Barrie, while her work on transportation and community initiatives contributed to issues that extended beyond her years in office.
For those who knew her personally, however, her legacy will also exist in the relationships she built and the memories created over a lifetime of involvement in the city.
Laking’s death marks the passing of a significant figure in Barrie’s civic history. Her contributions as a teacher, councillor, mayor and community advocate will remain part of the story of the city she served.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on information concerning the reported death and life of Janice Laking. The available information states that she died at the age of 97 and identifies her as a former Barrie mayor, alderman, teacher and community leader. The City of Barrie’s official historical records confirm that Janice Ruth Laking served as mayor from 1988 to 2000. The cause of death, exact date of death and funeral arrangements were not provided in the information available for this article. No specific illness, medical condition or other circumstance should be attributed to her death without reliable confirmation.