Barbara Joan Murtagh passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 23, 2026, after several weeks of declining health. Her family can’t confirm whether she consciously chose this day in order to enjoy one last National Margarita Day (February 22) or to avoid yet another birthday (February 24). Both are likely true.
Born in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1942, Barb was a loving and supportive daughter and sister. She was especially close to her mother, Thelma Chesman. They were both beautiful, social butterflies who occasionally stirred up some mischief. Barb also had a special bond with her beloved “baby brother” David (a/k/a “Assy” when she wanted to tease him) and his wife Mary.
Barb took great pride in being Canadian. She was the grandniece of L. M. Montgomery, the author of the iconic “Anne of Green Gables” novels. As a young girl, Barb skated alongside the famous Canadian Olympic champion figure skater Barbara Ann Scott. One of Barb’s last conscious acts was to sing “Oh, Canada” – loudly at night – in an otherwise quiet nursing facility after seeing a Canadian win gold at this year’s Winter Olympics.
Barb had a lifelong love for the ocean. (All other romances were much shorter.) In 1964, she left Canada to live in Honolulu, Hawaii – just two blocks from Waikiki Beach. While there, she began her career in retail management and fashion buying. In 1965, she met and married Michael Owen Murtagh, a U. S. Coast Guard officer and fellow lover of the sea.
For the next 37 years, she embraced life as a military spouse with enthusiasm. She actively supported the professional and social lives within the Coast Guard community where she made many lasting friendships.
More importantly, through frequent moves across the country, she worked hard to create a loving home for her sons Sean and Mark. To her sons’ friends, Barb was known as the “cool mom.” To Sean and Mark themselves, she was simply their warmest supporter imaginable. She would drop everything on a dime if it meant ensuring they felt loved and cared for.
In 2004 after her marriage ended, she returned to be near the ocean again – this time in Juno Beach, Florida. This kicked off over two decades filled with fun experiences. Her days were full of music dancing beach time pool time boyfriends (always attractive but sometimes questionable), parties cute outfits and a rescue Shih Tzu named Jake. Her family watched all these moments unfold with both joy and occasional concern. Through her excitement for life , she built a close-knit group of loyal friends who shared in all that fun together.
Barb is survived by her sons Sean and Mark Murtagh; brother David Chesman; sister-in-law Mary Richter; daughter-in-law Kirsten Martin; son-in-law Richard Kassner; and lifelong family friend Joan Mc Causland. The family wants to express gratitude towards the staff at Buckingham’s Choice senior living community for their expert care during Barb’s final months.
In lieu of flowers , the family asks that donations be made to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League (www. peggyadams. org) or GO TEAM Therapy Dogs (www. goteamdogs. org).
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