It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mother, M. Barbara Duncan. Barb passed away peacefully, with great courage, in Victoria BC, at the Lodge at Broadmead on Sunday, April 30, 2017 after a full and rewarding life of 90 years.
Barb was born August 27,1926 in Barrie, Ontario, the first of four children born to parents Col. Gordon and Dorothy Cousens. Sister Pam, brother George and brother Colin followed in short succession. The family made their home in Georgetown Ontario.
At the young age of 18 she enlisted in the RCN as a Navy Wren, stationed first at Sydney NS, then Halifax and subsequently transferring to HMCS Discovery in Vancouver and finishing her service at Naden in Esquimalt. She always said that becoming a Wren was “the best thing she ever did next to having her children”.
After the War, Barb returned to U of T and completed her Physiotherapy degree. She married on September 11th 1948, and along with husband Keith, raised their family near Georgetown Ontario. In the mid 70’s Barb moved to Victoria BC to be near some of her children who had already gone west. Barb had always loved Victoria since being stationed there near the end of the war.
A loving woman who will be missed by many and will always be in the hearts of her daughters Janet Wyllie, Ellen Ross (Don), Maureen LeBlond (Real), Kelly Duncan (Philip Bartlett) and her son, Greg Duncan also of Victoria.
She will be missed by her nine grandchildren Nathan, Cameron, Colin (Sara), Bryce (Crista), Simon (Leah), Patrick (Crystal), Mathieu, Kalyn and Trevor as well as by her three treasured great grandchildren, Thomas, Sylvie, and Hudson.
Barb served Canadian veterans in many ways since she retired from the Gorge Road Hospital where she had been the Activation Director. Her volunteer work was recognized in 2006 when she was awarded the Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation. She was a Legion Service Officer working with the Ex-Service Woman’s Legion till 2008 and other Victoria Legion Branches up until 2012. Barb was part of the team that organized the ‘memorial plaques’ at Langford Veteran’s Memorial Park honouring all women veterans serving during WWII. She worked tirelessly in seeing that the 2010 ‘Navy Lady Rose’ project was a success. Barb was kind, loving and always helping others in remarkable ways.
Special Thanks to Dr. Ted Rosenberg, Dr. Ben How and all the nurses and caregivers at the ‘Lodge at Broadmead’ and the ‘Cridge’, who all provided exceptional and devoted care for our mother Barb over the last few years.
A Celebration of Life for Barb will be held at MCCALL GARDENS, 4665 Falaise Drive, in Broadmead on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 1.30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made through the BC/Yukon Command Legion Foundation in support of Cockrell House, which was one of many veteran projects that Barb supported. Cockrell House is operated by the non-profit SMVIZ Veterans Housing Society which was formed in early 2009. www.legionbcyukon.ca/content/give-legion-foundation
Condolences may also be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens

Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de M Barbara Duncan – August 27, 1926 – April 30, 2017.source

avis deces M Barbara Duncan – August 27, 1926 – April 30, 2017avis mortuaire M Barbara Duncan – August 27, 1926 – April 30, 2017