Betty R. Barker

Betty Ruth Barker, nee Wood, 81, died December 10, 2017. She was born at home on the family farm in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada, the third child of Walter and Nina Wood. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Deana and brothers Harvey and Allen. Betty grew up on the family farm with her four brothers and three sisters and enjoyed the farm life even if she had to play the goalie on her 4 brothers' hockey team. After her early education in a one room school and boarding school in the Alameda- Oxbow area of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada, she went on to become a registered nurse, receiving her training at The Misericordia in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada, graduating in 1958. Subsequently, she went to Toronto, Ontario, Canada for additional training as a surgical nurse. Following this she returned to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada to become a Cardiothoracic Surgical nurse at the University Hospital in that city. In 1962 she emigrated to the United States to be employed as the Operating Room Supervisor at the Chicago State Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Chicago. There she met Dr. Walter Barker and on April 4, 1967 they were married. Betty became a naturalized US Citizen in 2000. Upon retiring from active surgical nursing, she began volunteer work at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago working as the Gift Shop Supervisor, member of the Women's Board and the Hospital Foundation. Eventually she became president of that hospital's Women's Board. Upon completion of these endeavors, she enrolled at Loyola University achieving a baccalaureate degree (magna cum laude) in Finance and Economics in 1985. She continued her employment at the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation until her retirement in 2001. Betty then resumed her interest in knitting, exercise programs, and baking, especially in the making of extraordinary gingerbread houses- to the delight of many new friends and family. Although she and her husband were not blessed with children, they had numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews who adored their "Aunt B." Betty was the embodiment of all that was good- being a warm and compassionate person to all whom she met and exhibiting personal interest and concern for all her family members and friends. She will be missed by all who loved and respected her. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sisters Joan (Bruce) Halpin and Janet (Richard) Bailey, brothers Lynn (Betty) Wood and Melvin (Marlene) Wood, and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. Funeral service Weds, Dec. 13, 2017, 1 PM, at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette. Entombment Rosehill. Donations may be made to the charities of your choice. For information: 847-256-5700.