Barbara Ann Fallows (nee Shepherd) passed peacefully to be with the Lord on April 7, 2011. She is predeceased by husband Donovan, brothers Bob (sister-in-law Marty) and Dick.
Mum is survived by her daughter Bara (Richard), brothers Jim (Peggy) and Jack (Alice, deceased) sister-in-law Margie and nieces and nephews throughout the US. She lost contact with her side of the family for much of her adult life but happily re-established contact with them in her later years.
Barbara was born in Pennsylvania and lived there for her childhood and college years. She was a Fulbright Scholar and held a Masters degree in Home Economics. She taught high school in the US and then went abroad to England in 1953 as an exchange teacher.
She met her husband of 57 years Donovan, in London during this time. They were married in Southport, UK in 1954. They immigrated to Vancouver, BC shortly thereafter. Their only child Bara was born in 1955.
The family lived in many places in Canada and also lived in New Zealand for a year. Although she taught at the high school level for much of her career, Barbara most loved her time as professor at University of Toronto. In 1974 she and Don moved to Ladysmith. She taught at Nanaimo District Secondary School until her retirement.
Barbara was a devout Christian; active and faithful in her church community. She always had a warm smile and friendly words for those she met and had a large network of friends of all ages. She was kind, approachable and easy to be with. She had an insatiable curiosity and was always finding interesting information to share with others. She was an accomplished tailor and a terrific cook. She liked camping, travelling, math, bird-watching, reading, knitting, the Olympics and hockey. She loved the colour teal, giraffes, teddy bears, pretty scarves, buttons, soap, lily of the valley flowers and violets. She enjoyed dining out, especially fish and chips, and liked second-hand stores. She spent many hours sitting in her garden and walking in town. She always attended the summer concerts at Transfer Beach and never missed Lightup. She loved animals and they had several dogs over the years. She really loved her last little dog, Heidi. Barb was easily recognizable by the berets she wore jauntily perched on one side. She liked going to McDonalds in the afternoon to chat with friends and read the paper. She looked forward to lunches with her birthday club ladies, church events and loved picnics.
Mum was a loving, thoughtful mother and a devoted wife. She was very independent until a previously manageable health condition advanced rapidly. Due to complex health issues she spent the last few months of her life in Chemainus Health Care Centre. The staff there quickly became fond of Barb and she so appreciated their personal attention. Thanks to all her care, housekeeping and activity providers, her nursing team and primary nurse Cindy, and to Dr. Morris for providing dignified, respectful care. We are especially grateful for the attention to Mum’s comfort and the kindness shown in the hours near and after her passing.
Thanks to her close friends who made a point to visit her often; you know who you are. My deepest appreciation to Richard for his unwavering support of me and Mum through the many ups and down of the past months. Thanks also to Laurie B., Dorothy L., Linda J. and Jayne S. for their friendship and guidance.
We love you and miss you so much, Mum. Thank you for bringing me into the world, for all you have shared and taught me, for the privilege of caring for you in these past months, and for the honour of seeing you off on your final journey home.