Born on June 2, 1946 in Vancouver, passed away peacefully on Sept 15, 2023. Barb will be greatly missed by her husband Des, children Michael, Siobhan and Jennifer, grandchildren and great granddaughter, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews as well as extended family members throughout the world.
Barb was an exceptional teacher and avid volunteer throughout many communities in B.C. and abroad. One of the many special projects Barb headed up, was building multiple latrines, wells and a couple of schools to help communities in rural Nicaragua with access to education and clean drinking water. These projects were later dedicated to the memory of brother David Hutson.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 2:00 pm, in the Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive. Tributes, if desired, can be made to https://www.elporvenir.org/.
To view the service, please click the video below:
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Susan Salvati
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Wendy Cowley Hi Des. I don’t know if you remember me. I was Wendy Johnston at Westside Secondary. I’ve thought about our staff and how we were a great group that enjoyed each other’s company and had lots of fun at our staff parties and get togethers.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Barb was an outstanding person. She will be remembered for all she did.
All the best in 2024.
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Jennifer Standeven (Logelin) To Des and family and the Hutson clan,
I knew Barbara through her brother David Hutson. For years I heard stories of how wonderful Barbara was and how fortunate he was to have a sister like Barbara.
After David passed away Barbara called me to let me know about the family’s work in Nicaragua and how they were dedicating it to David. It was so lovely of her to follow up to see how I was doing and to tell me about their projects.A life well lived is one where you are loved by family and friends, leave positive memories with from your work, and make a positive contributions to a community – especially one in need. Barbara certainly achieved all of this.
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Cliff & Marilyn Wilkins Dear Des and family, It is with a deep feeling of sadness that Cliff & I tell you that we were told by Verna Roberts that dear Barbara had passed. Sadly Cliff & I have moved away from Falcon Ridge Estates and are now living at The Victorian. I was so pleased while you were our backdoor neighbours that Barbara asked me to help her at the Compassionate Wharehouse. She would supply me with school equipment for children to color with. I happily would put the many crayons, pencils, erasers, and other things for children to create their dreams with. Des, and Barb you did so many kind things for our Strata to enjoy while you were living at Falcon Ridge. You both were badly missed. Please know Cliff & I were lucky to have you as our dear neighbours. We send our sincere sympathy and hope you’ll know how much we care for you. All our love and caring thoughts, Cliff & Marilyn Wilkins.
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Dennis J. Magrega, Ph.D To Des and all Barb’s family and friends. Our paths crossed in the 60s when we were undergrads. We were part of a group of people who crossed paths socially, usually over coffee and cinnamon buns. We weren’t what I would call close friends but Barb was memorable for her caring, compassion and warm and engaging personality. That I remember her over 50 years later, despite the lack of closeness, is a real testament to who she was. The world was a better place for Barb in it. Kind regards, Dennis
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Elsie McMurphy Dear Des,
My sincere condolences. So very sorry to read of Barb’s death- way too soon. Memories of good times with you both, in Kamloops and here, in politics and education, have been running through my mind, along with sympathetic thoughts for you and your loss.
Elsie
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Jennifer Barb was a teacher at EMCS when I attended and a colleague when I started teaching at the same school. She always made me feel at ease, especially when I was a new teacher suddenly being allowed to sit in the staffroom and being a little intimidated by all the former-teacher-turned-colleagues giving me the stare (at least it felt that way). Her sense of humour and compassion have made a difference in my life. May her family find peace knowing how many lives she helped.
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Pam Manson (Harris) Barb was my colleague and close friend at Edward Milne Community School in Sooke for many years. She also lived a few blocks from me so I was a frequent visitor at her home in Colwood. She was a kind listening “ear” when I struggled through some personal problems in 2000-2005. Such an amazing,kind woman. Such a sense of humour! She was loved by her students at EMCS for the many years she taught there. As you probably know, Barb was an extraordinary volunteer for the Hutson family’s Nicaragua project to build wells and schools in a remote village in rural Nicaragua. Closer to home, she tirelessly volunteered at The Compassionate Warehouse which donates shiploads of useful goods to poverty-struck places around the world. These volunteer efforts were life changing for the recipients of her efforts. Goodbye, my dear friend. Rest in well deserved peace. Love ❤️ from Pam
I am grateful to have worked with Barb at Edward Milne School for ten years when I was a very young teacher. What I remember her for so well was her kindness; she mentored me and shared many resources. I admired her energy, enthusiasm and creativity for teaching. I pray that she rest in peace.