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
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Barbara Joan Gladys Tabata nee McNally RN BSN MSN November 29 1933 December 4 2020..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique