Barbara Rose Cowling
September 11, 1912 - December 11, 2011
Barbara Cowling passed peacefully, in her sleep at Wexford Care Home, at age 99. A devoted mother to her loving sons, Deryck (Linda); Doug (Janet) and daughter, Kate Lowe (Colin) and dearly loved grandchildren: David (Karen) Cowling and Allison (Nick) Wood; Sam Cowling, and Megan (Steve) Cowling and Geoff, Chris and Mike Lowe and great grandchildren: Emily, Natalie, Carter and little Zoe.
Predeceased by brothers, Frank and Deryck Wellard and survived by sister, Hilary Baird of Truro Nova Scotia; several nieces and nephews and their children, who were all very dear to her.
Born in Merton, UK, the family moved to Truro, NS when she was two. Her parents were both music professors and church organists. Music was a huge part of Mum’s life, and the loss of her father, Harry Wellard at a young age, was a great blow to her. She had a teaching degree from the Truro Normal School and began her career teaching grades 1-11 in a one-room school in Lower Five Islands, NS. When WW2 began, she joined the Air Force, and during this time met her husband, John Cowling, who predeceased her in 1996. They moved to Nanaimo in 1946 and Chase River in 1951, where she resided until her death. She taught at Extension, South Wellington and Chase River Schools for many years and loved to hear from her students over the years. Her contributions to her community were many; there was no kinder soul or better mother. She made really great butter tarts and treasured all her time with her grandchildren.
Our thanks to Joyce and Trina, who were so special to her, for all their support while she was at home, and to Nanaimo Home Support and the Wexford Care Home staff, who were so good to her.
A celebration of Mum’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 2pm; the Rev. Paula Ashby officiating. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.