Luana Royal

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Luana (nee Rowlings) Royal at Hospice Simcoe, Barrie, Ontario on Friday, May 29th, 2026 after a brief and courageous journey with leukemia. She was predeceased by her parents Phillip and Margaret Rowlings.

Luana is survived by her husband of 50 years, Brian, 4 children, Katie (Clint), Mary (Adam), Susan (Adam) and Jonathan (Whitney) and her 6 grandchildren, Ethan, Reid, Maria, Mallory, Emerson and Bridget. Her twin brother Hoodie (Helga) of Newfoundland and her niece Didi (Darrell).

Luana grew up on the Northwest Arm in Halifax where she loved to swim and trained as a lifeguard. She met Brian at Dalhousie University and they were married in Halifax in 1975. They raised their four children in in Amherst, Nova Scotia where she worked at the School for the Deaf. The family loved to camp and spent wonderful times at Kejimkujik National Park. They later relocated to Barrie, Ontario where she worked as an itinerant hearing resource teacher. She was very involved in Northwest Barrie United Church, singing in the choir and running the nursery. She loved to garden and could often be found working in her yard talking with neighbours. In retirement, they loved to take their travel trailer to Nova Scotia every summer exploring other parts of Canada.

Visitation will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, 55 Cedar Pointe Drive, Barrie (Parking and entrance on Hwy 400 side of building) on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 2-4 p.m., and on Monday June 8, 2026 at Northwest Barrie United Church, 464 Ferndale Drive North, Barrie from 12 – 12:45 p.m., Service will commence at 1 o’clock p.m. Light refreshments and a time of fellowship will follow in the Westennial Hall.

In lieu of flowers (due to extreme scent allergies), donations can be made in Luana’s memory to the Arthritis Society of Canada, the Royal Victoria Hospital or Northwest Barrie United Church. Throughout her journey with leukemia she benefited greatly from the generosity of those who have donated blood. In her memory, please consider giving the gift of life by donating blood.

Interment will take place later this summer in her beloved Nova Scotia.