Barbara Winnifred English

An intuitively astute observer of human behaviour and a long-time advocate for those less fortunate, Barbara Winnifred English completed her life in Waterloo, Ontario in her 95th year on 16 July 2022. Born in Campbellford, Ontario on 25 August 1927 to Florence and Malcolm Cook, she spent most of her early life living in Peterborough, Ontario, and married James George English (predeceased in 2017) on 9 September 1950. In the early 1950s, Barb and Jim moved to the Peace River Country with two small children (Michael and Marley). They lived for the next seven years in Grande Prairie and Peace River, Alberta and Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where Jim was the editor for three weekly newspapers. In Grande Prairie, Jennifer was born. It was here where Barb discovered her love and fascination with early childhood education.

These formative years in their marriage, spent far from family, were both invigorating and challenging, but they both adapted. For example, they learned that when the temperatures reached - 40°C (not an uncommon occurrence), you had to light a fire under your outdoor propane tank if you wished to keep the gas flowing and the house warm. Jennifer needed significant medical attention requiring time, patience and financial investment at a time when medicare did not exist. In Mom’s words, they made it through this period because “we were on the same page and we needed to understand”. In 1960, the family moved back east to Peterborough where medical care was more accessible for Jennifer’s wellbeing.

A move to Kingston followed and it was here, after working in the nursery school at the local YWCA, that Mom decided to go to Queen’s University to begin her degree in early childhood education. She later completed her program at Sir Sandford Fleming College when the family moved back to Peterborough in the late 1960s. In 1968, Donna joined the family. Barb and Jim enthusiastically introduced Donna to cottage life at Catchacoma Lake and took her on a trip to the Peace River country so she could see the region and meet some of their good friends.

For 25 years, Barb successfully owned and ran St. Barnabas Nursery School in Peterborough. As a testament to her skills, there was always a waiting list. Not only was she a wonderful teacher, she also taught her children that the first three years of life are important in shaping who children eventually become.

Barb had a strong social conscience and over her lifetime, Barb and Jim contributed to the funding and growth of community associations in both Grande Prairie, Alberta and Peterborough, Ontario. In Peterborough, they helped establish Trafalgar School. Their efforts were directed at making the lives of mentally challenged children and adults better and broadening our collective understandings and acceptance of these citizens in our community. Barb also volunteered for several years with Telecare, where she spent many hours on the phones and training other volunteers.

Barbara was intelligent, compassionate, and empathetic. She was an avid reader of books and newspapers. She loved her family fiercely. Barb left a life-long impression on her children, their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her close friends and co-workers. While Barb was a great one for deflecting any attention away from herself, she served as a strong positive role model for us all. She lived a long, productive and rich life; however, in many ways it seems she left us too early.

Barbara’s family include her children Michael English (Sherry Schiff - grandchildren James, Kyla, Emmaline and Jaslyn), Marley Waiser (Bill Waiser - grandchildren Jessica, Michael and Kate), Jennifer English, Donna Olson (Garry Olson - grandchildren David, Chris, Amanda and Dakota), as well as fourteen great-grandchildren. Barb is also survived by her sister Elaine Clark, cousin Lois Sprackett, a nephew and numerous nieces. She was predeceased by her beloved Jim, her sister Betty and brother-in-law Norman Bennett, her brother-in-law Tony Clark, and her sister-in-law Betsy English.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, 356 Rubidge St., Peterborough.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either Christian Horizons (Peterborough branch) or to the Jim and Barbara English academic scholarship at Trent University www.trentu.ca/BarbaraEnglish

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.comstockkaye.com for the English family.