1940-2017
Barbara Elizabeth Smith (Rodgers)
1940-2017
Smith, Barbara Elizabeth (Rodgers)
– Age 77 of Boylston, Guysborough Co., 1940-2017 passed
peacefully and spiritually at Guysborough Memorial Hospital,
Guysborough, on Sunday, October 1, 2017 in the presence of her loving
husband and several family members after a long and complicated
illness.
Barbara was predeceased by her
parents, Pauline (MacDonald) Rodgers and Martin Rodgers, as well as
her sister-in-law, Beverley Rodgers and her brother-in-law, Padre Juan
Roberto Smith. She is survived by her husband
Eugene, her sons, Andrew (Joanne) from Kelowna, BC; Paul (Mary), San
Francisco, California; Edward (Shauna), Atlanta, Georgia and ten
beautiful grandchildren, Kierra and Emmet; Zachary, Danny, Maddie,
Emmie and Buddy; and Josh, Nicholas and Katie — many of whom brought
her so much comfort and joy in the last months of her life as her
internet friends. She is also survived by her
brothers, Gerard, Angus (Sheila), Edward (Kathleen), George, Danny
(Mary Theresa), Allen (Gwynn) and her sisters, Marilyn Rodgers,
Phyllis Hart (Donald), and Audrey Romita (Frank).
Barbara was educated in Guysborough
Intervale followed by High School at Mabou Convent. In 1957 she
enrolled in the nursing program at St. Martha’s to begin her dream of
becoming a nurse. She graduated from St. Martha’s in 1960 and began
her career at Moncton General Hospital. In 1962 she began working at
the Civic Hospital in Ottawa. In June of 1962 Barbara married Eugene
Smith and continued to work in Ottawa until 1964. In the spring of ’64
Barb and Gene moved to California where Barb continued her career at
the Bell Medical Center. It was a difficult time to live in California
as Barb experienced firsthand at work the ravishes of the Watts Riots.
An opportunity arose and Barb and her husband decided to return to
Canada, where she began to work at the Pointe Claire Medical Centre in
Pointe Claire, Quebec. They remained in Montreal until 1982. During
her time in Montreal, Barb was very active in church activities,
especially with youth. She was particularly proud of the development
of the youth group which grew to 175 members. In 1982 Barb and her
husband and their three boys moved to Toronto, Ontario where they
remained until 1986, at which time they moved to Athens, Georgia. Barb
resumed her career at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens and retired in
2003. It was during this time that the AIDS epidemic was coming to the
forefront in patient care and Barbara took a strong stand in pushing
for a loving approach for AIDS patients. She always said her patients
were ALL to be treated the St. Martha’s way. In
2006 Barb and her husband decided to return to Nova Scotia. With a
large family back in Guysborough she felt it was time to come
home. Within a few days of arriving, she received a phone
call and back to work she went to Guysborough Memorial Hospital for
what she called the eight most wonderful years of her nursing
career!
Visitation will be held in Dennis
Haverstock Funeral Home, Guysborough, on Thursday, October 5 from 7-9
p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 6 at 11:00 a.m. at St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church, Guysborough Intervale with Father Charles
Cameron officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s
Cemetery followed by reception in the church hall.
Donations in memory of Barbara may be
made to the Guysborough Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or to a charity of
your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barbara Elizabeth Smith (Rodgers) – 1940-2017.source

Death notice for the town of: Guysborough, Province: Nova Scotia

death notice Barbara Elizabeth Smith (Rodgers) – 1940-2017- mortuary notice Barbara Elizabeth Smith (Rodgers) – 1940-2017