Barbara Marie Lewis

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Barb lived a life dedicated to fulfilling the call of God. Barb was born on Apr.19,1939 in Peterborough, ON to the late Percival and Muriel Lewis. From the age of 12, Barb felt called to serve God in overseas missions. She studied to become a nurse in order to be able to serve wherever God called her. Her parents prayed for God to bring her the right spouse – and were thankful when Bill came into her life with the same missionary calling.

Bill and Barb headed to Kenya, East Africa with 4 children – all under the age of 5. Barb served in many roles in Kenya: nursing care, providing health teaching, women’s ministry, and serving as a Bible school teacher. Barb was well known for her hospitality and open home policy. Many weekends the numbers in the home would grow as the kids would bring their roommates from boarding school home for the weekend.

Barb’s favourite role was that of mother. She provided a solid foundation of love and taught her children to rejoice in all things – even when it included hanging the laundry out to dry on rainy days. Barb was always enthusiastic and ready to celebrate any occasion or accomplishment with her family.

On returning to Canada, Barb returned to working in the Canadian health care system as a public health nurse. She started in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto. Undaunted by the “dangers” of working in that part of the city, she had no hesitation in providing home visits to those in need of health services – nor was she distraught by the size of the cockroaches (her training in Africa served her well!) She and Bill then moved to Guelph where Barb started working at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. In Guelph, Barb was instrumental in setting up a health clinic at an underserved high school.

After retiring from nursing, Barb worked alongside Bill at the mission agency they had founded, Into All The World, continuing to share the love of God around the world. She also continued to care for her family through birthday and holiday celebrations and by praying over each family member by name daily.

Barb was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s and faced that challenge with her usual steadfastness and grace. She faced every challenge without a word of complaint.

Barb is survived by her beloved husband Bill and children Andrea (Scott) Bothwell, Peter (Susan) Lewis, Sara Onyango, Stephanie Augustin, and David (Christina) Lewis. The pride of her life was her multiple grandchildren: Desiree, Catherine, Caroline (Neill), Nathanael (Alexandra), Ashley (Corbin), Josiah (Aleisha), Bethany (Jon), Joshua B, Jonathan, Alyssa (Jason), Caleb (Melanie), Mark (Amarissa), Christina-Noel, Michael (Alexandra), Titus, Taisha, Jeanetta, Gabriel, Ethan, Joshua L, Abriana, Hassan, Keyarah, and Ja’Mya. Barb’s face would still light up with a smile whenever the great-grandchildren would come for a visit. There are now 12 great-grandchildren (with more on the way): Setiah, Clark, Jude, Ari, Elliot, Elias, Ezra, Matthias, Joel, Lylla, Everly and Mayella.

Barb is also survived by her sister Kathryn (Doug) Clamp and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her grandson Benjamin and brother Bill Lewis.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Barb at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 29th at Everton Community Church, 379 Evert St, Guelph-Eramosa, ON. Reception to follow. Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug 28th from 5:30 – 8:30 PM also at Everton Community Church. Donations in Barb’s memory may be made to Into All The World (www.iatw.ca) or to Parkinsons Canada (www.parkinson.ca).