KIM MALCOLMSON

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KIM MALCOLMSON Born December 12, 1934 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Kim passed away on January 28, 2018 at the Toronto Grace Health Centre. Without an agreed upon name at birth, the nickname Kim took hold displacing her legal name, Mary Campbell, for life. Kim is survived by husband Paul Barber, sons Alex Barber (Sara Lee) and Tom Barber (Angela), grandson Luke, and brothers Harry (Ann) and Sam (Ann), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was educated at public schools in St. Catharines, Bishop Strachan School, the University of Toronto and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Kim's work life started as a high school history teacher, but her restless nature took her on to CBC public affairs television in the 1960s. In the early 1970s she worked in the creative environment of the Schreyer government in Manitoba in education and health care. There she helped develop community health centres and the nurse practitioner program, all the while developing a passionate love for the province. Unmarried until she was 40, she travelled alone to almost 20 countries. In Winnipeg she met and married Paul Barber. Beginning with their two boys Kim pursued her interest in making small children aware of nature and the environment. Her commitment produced her book now available on the web https://cluesbykim.wordpress.com/. Kim was a deeply committed feminist and social justice advocate. Attending a talk by Tommy Douglas at university led to a lifelong commitment to the CCF/NDP. Returning to Ontario in 1981, she began working for the public service again in the mid 1980s and from 1988 to 1999 for the Ontario government where she helped pioneer pay equity. In her later years she also became involved again in the Anglican Church, primarily at Toronto's St. Anne's Church. She and Paul also enjoyed many years of Scottish country dancing together until illness forced her to withdraw. Kim had a profound warmth and empathy for everyone she met, creating innumerable life-long bonds. Her humanity was reflected in her progressive approach to Christianity and politics, and in her deep feminism. She touched the lives of all those who knew her. Kim's funeral will take place on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anne's Church, 270 Gladstone Avenue, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anne's Church or Fort Whyte Alive in Winnipeg. The family would like to thank the staff at the Toronto Grace Health Centre and Toronto Western Hospital for their efforts on her behalf, and Dr. Abe Hirsz for his thoughtful and sensitive care of Kim since taking her on as a patient a few years ago.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 03, 2018