When you walk through the storm
Hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark
Walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone.
Barbara died at home in Victoria on December 4, 2020 surrounded by family. She was born on November 29, 1933 in Winnipeg Manitoba.
Survived by Susumu her husband of 61 years, daughters Susanne & Renee, son Ken, grandchildren Jesse, Jared (Cara), and Sara, sisters Anne, Olive, and Evelyn, their families, a large Tabata clan, extended family in Sweden and Ireland, Winnipeg General nursing classmates of ’56, colleagues in nursing at UBC and UVic, and many great friends, relatives and neighbours. She is predeceased by her brother William, mother Emma Jean (nee Soderman) and father Edward Benjamin McNally.
Nurse, mother and community volunteer, Barbara dedicated her life to caring for her family, friends and community. She is known for her elegance, compassion and perseverance whether in nursing education or her volunteer work.
A MSN graduate of UBC nursing, her clinical specializations were in brain injuries, family health care and community advocacy. She provided key support to her husband throughout his oceanography career, living in Tokyo and Nanaimo before settling in Victoria 50 years ago. She & her husband enjoyed world travel through various geo-science conferences, and equally loved many local cultural events & the Victoria Symphony.
Until her passing, Barbara was a pillar of the Gordon Head Residents’ Association. For over 20 years she tirelessly held the traffic portfolio. She is known to a succession of Saanich engineers and any development in Gordon Head in the last two decades has had her scrutiny for its effect on traffic & safety. Her dedicated service was always with presented with gentle tenacity and concern for the safety of the residents of Gordon Head.
Above all Barbara was a friend to many around the world, and at this time, we pause to reflect on her life and times.
A private funeral will be held at Christ Church Cathedral Victoria on Saturday December 19, 2020 at 1pm, followed by a committal at Ross Bay Cemetery. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be scheduled in 2021.
Donations can be made to Victoria Hospice. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Chris Aesoph
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Sharon My condolences to the 3 kids and others within her circle of friends. May you all receive peace through this time.a saying I once heard.
“Don’t be upset that it’s over. Be happy becasuse it was.) Helps me getting over my dad sometimes.
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Anne-Marie Stewart I was saddened to learn of Barbara´s passing. We met over 45 years ago when my husband Bob Stewart worked with Sus at IOS. We met at staff parties and occasionally for coffee in town. For several years we lived a couple of blocks away in Gordon head. Our best memories are trips abroad when our husbands attended the same meetings. One time eating pastries together with Renee in Vienna, but the highlight was a holiday together from Okinawa to Tokyo, Sus and Barbara were wonderful guides and we had a great time. Also after a Porsec meeting in Tsingdao we joined a group of scientists in China. I last talked to Barbara at Jim Gower’s Xmas party in 2019. We planned to meet soon and Covid got in the way.
Please accept my warmest condolences, Barbara was a very special personAnne-Marie Stewart
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Mike Foreman Dear Sus,
So sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing – she was a wonderful woman. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Mike
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Deborah Saxby Condolences to the Tabata family. I got to know Barbara through GHRA. She actually encouraged me to join as a director several years ago. We saw each another often while she was walking with Susumu in the neighbourhood. We always took the time to stop,chat and catch-up. What stood out initially was Barbara’s sense of fashion. Always dressed perfectly even if out for a walk! Barbara’s concerns for traffic and safety in the Gordon Head Community were always a priority. We often connected to discuss the roll of caregiver as well. She spoke highly of her family. She will be missed in this community. RIP Barbara.
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Ellie O'Day Condolences to Susanne and Renee and all the family. I only met your mother on a couple of occasions, but her light shone through.
Dear Sus and kids:
Barbara will be missed by us, and everyone in Gordon Head. She was brilliant, warm, insightful, and fun. Our neighborhood has been blessed to have you and her with us for decades, and parties won’t be the same without her. We hope you find some comfort knowing she was loved by many.
Chris and Lauri Aesoph