BARBARA EMILY PATERSON

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

• I met Barbara at a Jo Dunning event in California a couple years ago and although we didn't communicate regularly, when we did it was warm and joyful. Barbara had a way to make everything seem light and joyful. One lesson she has taught me is how to handle physical challenges privately and without fuss. My deepest condolences to her family. - Posted by: Meg (Friend) on: Dec 16, 2013

• I met Barb three years ago in California at Jo Dunning events, we called ourselves neighbors because every time at the hotel we were next door. We wrote and she, for me was an amazing friend, sister of life. I had the feeling something was wrong, she didn't want to tell me, till today after calling her with no answer decided to try to find her family through the internet. I am really sad and I have been missing her since she didn't answered my emails and/or phone calls. She was an amazing friend, like a loving sister. - Posted by: Nora M. Badia (Friend) on: Aug 29, 2013

• When I think of Barbarah, I smile. For me, this is the essence of this kind, loving woman. I met her at yoga and had the opportunity to enjoy laughter and friendship with her (& I had expected to have many more wonderful times with her). I will miss her beautiful spirit and presence. - Posted by: Linda Jarman (Friend) on: Aug 02, 2013

• Still unwilling to believe that grin and that perky, delightful Spirit is not at the end of the telephone line. Barbarah and I made fun photography trips within and outside Manitoba, and sometimes in the back yards or at the kitchen sink. The whole world was a place of wonder for my friend, and she could make beautiful fantasy from anything. I am so grateful to have had our years of friendship, with her care and loyalty, sensitivity, and intuitive presence. I am so thankful to have known this vibrant, creative soul. - Posted by: Shirley Grosser (Friend) on: Aug 02, 2013

• I am very saddened to hear of Barbara's passing as she never gave any indication of any distress she might be experiencing--so like her to not worry others. My sincere condolences are extended to her family and many friends who are so grateful that she came into our lives. I met Barbara when I became a member of the Manitoba Camera Club many years ago. She was so welcoming, helpful and generous with her expertise as a photographer/artist. She was a very humble, kind and warm individual, who always had a positive attitude and encouraged many of us novices to stay the course. I will miss her dearly. Terumi - Posted by: Terumi Kuwada (friend ) on: Aug 01, 2013

• I first met Barbarah at the camera club, we were both involved in a workshop with a local artist. I was staggered at the imaginative, creativity of her work. I am not a regular attender at the club, but Barbarah would always take time to chat with me, I really appreciated that. I have a deep respect for her, and she is sadly missed. - Posted by: Stuart Davies (Camera Club friend) on: Jul 31, 2013

• Remembering Barbarah… We are deeply saddened, and still in denial, about the passing of your cousin, sister, Aunt and friend, Barbarah Paterson, on July 25, 2013. This feels especially tragic since Barbarah was so young at heart and only in her mid-sixties. We were worried this was coming when we first heard about the diagnosis, we were worried it was inevitable, we knew we were never ready to say goodbye, and we weren’t… I first met Barbarah, in the early 1980s at the Eaton Toastmasters club in Winnipeg. We used to meet in the Eaton Staff lunchroom in the basement of the Eaton store at Polo Park. Barbarah was happy go lucky and always had a twinkle in her eye. Her fun loving, jovial, attitude was irresistably infectious. Barbarah and I shared so many fond and joyful memories. In the 1990s we traveled a few times together. We enjoyed Montreal all those delicious French pastries and succulent smoked meat sandwiches. We joked about their miniscule China Town, but ate there anyway. I’ll never forget the meal of smoky clam chowder in Old Montreal, that we shared, with hot fresh bread dipped in – we both thought it was heavenly. We strolled along the waterfront, and shopped in so many little stores and finally ended up at a boutique mall. As a gag, we both tried on a long black strapless pencil dress with a feather boa built right into the top of it. To our astonishment we both loved that dress, and both of us couldn’t resist buying it, so we did! I still have mine even though it’s suffered a severe molt. Every time I see that dress it reminds me of Barbarah. We also went to a Toastmasters conference in Las Vegas around August 1992. No surprise - Barbarah was such a hoot! We had funny pictures taken, dressed up as if we were someone completely different. We took a helicopter tour in the Grand Canyon that was breathtaking. In those days helicopters were allowed to land on the canyon floor, so we did and we had a sumptuous lunch including caviar and champagne. The canyon was an inferno (over 110o Farenheit) so the champagne went straight to our heads. Then we returned to the MGM Grand Hotel, where we were staying, and that night met Tom Jones. We were giggling like school girls, and Tom was so gracious, as he posed for a picture with us. I am looking at that picture as I am writing this - it will always remind me of Barbarah. In the late 1990’s we visited Vancouver, Qualicum, Tofino, and Salt Spring island. Salt Spring island was a delight to Barbarah as there are so many artists there. Barbarah was so creative, so she could really relate to the artists doing their thing in their cute little studios. I am sitting here with an eagle head sculpture Barbarah gave me as a gift around that time. Yet another positive reminder of Barbarah. In the late 1990s I went through a marriage separation and Barbarah was a rock of support and non-judgemental. Barbarah helped me with some of the most difficult parts of that process. Then in 1999 I moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver. Then it got a little more challenging and haphazard for us to visit, but we managed a few times to have fun-filled visits together. My son young William enjoyed Barbarah’s fun-filled attitude. Barbarah enjoyed and related to children so well. I have a cute picture of her with William’s Viking hat on. What a character! William loved her as she played in a genuine way that most adults cannot do. Barbarah even took pictures of William’s Playmobile figures, which we still treasure today. Barbarah came out to Vancouver to help look after William one time when he was about 8 years old and I was in a childcare jam. I had to take a quick business trip to Boston. William has fond memories of that special time with Barbarah, one on one. William remembers enjoying discussing politics and current world affairs with Barbarah, though I’m not convinced it was mutually enjoyed ;-) Barbarah was one of the few adult role models who truly encouraged William, and helped him increase his confidence in the future. William is especially grateful for Barbarah’s positive encouragement. Barbarah positively touched his life, and as a result, he will never be the same. William will always admire Barbarah, and will always be grateful for the short, but wonderful time, he had with her. Barbarah’s kindness will not be forgotten. There were many lessons we learned from Barbarah. Barbarah was a fun loving, free spirit of a woman with a big heart who was the essence of creativity, kindness, thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and a dear friend. Barbarah, today is our chance to say thank you. Thank you for the way you brightened our lives, even though you were dealt a tragic hand of cards with breast cancer. We can’t help but feel that you were cheated when you were taken too soon from this world, yet we must learn to be grateful that you came along at all. Barbarah, your pain and suffering is gone, so perhaps that is the only small mercy God has shown us at this dreadful time. We give thanks for the life of a woman we were proud to be able to call a friend. The unique, the extraordinary Barbarah. Joyce and William XOXO - Posted by: Joyce Green and WIlliam (friend) on: Jul 28, 2013

• she will be sadly missed, she did it her way and lived life to the fullest, we were all blessed to have known her, the journeys we traveled together were filled with laughter and joy - Posted by: Phyllis Hannon (friend) on: Jul 27, 2013