Barbara Elfleda Phillipson

Barbara Elfleda Phillipson (née Mills) passed away on October 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family and a team of medical professionals whose expectations she surpassed until the very end. She will be deeply missed by Mike, her husband of 43 years, her mom, Jacquie, her sister, Cathy, and brother-in-law, Ian, her niece, Dani, and an extended group of family and friends who meant the world to her.

Barb was born December 4, 1955 in Calgary, Alberta, where her enduring love of snow began. From there, the family lived in Edmonton and later Medicine Hat before making the big move to North Vancouver in 1969. Barb graduated from Carson Graham Secondary School, where she and Mike met.

She became a beloved preschool teacher after graduating from Capilano College, eventually running the preschool at Queen Mary Community Elementary School before finishing her career as an aide at St Catherine’s Preschool supporting children with special needs. She leaves a lasting legacy through the many children whose lives she touched.

The 70s, 80s and 90s were punctuated by social events with a lifelong group of friends – hockey parties, camping trips, house parties, and Friday nights at the Tiki Hut – and Barb was always at the centre, our Queen B. She was the ultimate hostess, and the Phillipson Christmas Parties were the stuff of legend.

Christmas was Barb’s favourite time of year and her family and friends’ homes will continue to be adorned with the decorations she lovingly made each year, ensuring she will always be with us for the season.

Barb has now joined her Dad, Bob, who was waiting for her with Frank playing and a rum in hand to kick off another Happy Hour together.