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Barbara Elsie Wright (née Lynch)

December 18, 2022

S2Y2F9L9-20230221131639
January 2, 1929 - December 18, 2022
In loving memory ~
Barb was born and raised in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. She fondly remembered skating on and swimming in the Sturgeon River that flowed behind the family home. She attended North Bay Normal School in 1946-47, and her first teaching position was in Terrace Bay, Ontario, where she met the love of her life, Ray. They married in 1951, moved to Marathon, Ontario, and in 1958 with their three young children moved across the country to beautiful Vancouver Island.
In Victoria, Barb taught at Tolmie Elementary School. In 1964 their youngest child Peggy was born. The family moved up island to the Cowichan Valley in 1965 and two years later she accepted a position teaching Grade One at Duncan Elementary School. She taught at "Duncan El" for the remainder of her career, retiring in 1986. Barb strongly valued education: she earned her Bachelor of Education at the University of Victoria while simultaneously raising her family and teaching full-time, and financially contributed to the post-secondary educations of her children and grandchildren.
Upon retirement, Barb kept busy with swimming, yoga, baking, knitting, reading, solving crosswords, and travelling with Ray. They enjoyed trips to the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and many visits to Palm Springs. While at home she could most readily be found tending to her garden, both floral and vegetable.
The Arts were important to Barb; she and Ray were regular patrons of the Victoria Symphony and the Palm Court Orchestra, she volunteered annually at the Cowichan Music Festival, and she would generously treat her children and grandchildren to performances at the Chemainus Theatre.
Barb was predeceased by Ray in 2005, and her siblings Helen, Mary and John. She is survived by her brother Jim. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Jack, Francie (Brian), Mary (Bob), and Peggy (Stefan); her grandchildren: Rebecca (Kendall), Carolyn, Arthur, Helen, Andrew (Sarah), Emma, Harrison, and Sam; and was "G.G." to her precious great-grandchildren, Wesley and Lily.
Mom developed dementia in her later years, but with the support of her children was able to remain living in the family home. She spent her final few weeks at the Cowichan District Hospital.
There will be a gathering to celebrate Barb's life with family and friends this spring.



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