Born July 7, 1931; left this life March 30, 2020. Husband of Paul for 63 years; mother of Mary Edmondstone (Daniel), Burlington; Dr. John Blake (Angela, deceased), Halifax; grandmother to Thomas (Abby), Paul and James; sister of Beverly Nyberg and the late Patricia Bolger (Thomas). Barbara was the eldest daughter of Lt. Colonel Dalton Johnston and Geraldine Casey of Peterborough.
Barbara attended a Catholic elementary school and Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School. To support her mother and two sisters, Barbara taught at Cathedral Girls High School in Hamilton for one year before enrolling at The Ontario College of Education with her BA from the University of Toronto through St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s Colleges in 1952.
In 1955, Barbara began teaching at the Belleville Collegiate and Vocational School, and, after marriage in 1957, at the Mount Forest District High School with Paul. Moving to Woodstock with Paul in 1958, she made it a condition of marriage that she would not both teach and try to raise a family. With no children forthcoming, she did short term fill-ins at Huron Park Secondary School and Woodstock Collegiate Institute, tendering her resignation each June. Mary was born in 1962; John followed in 1964.
While raising two children, Barbara took an active life in her community. She was a lifelong supporter of the University Women’s Club, becoming President of the Woodstock Club and, later, the Hamilton Club. Barbara was active in the Catholic Women’s League for over 60 years, becoming President of the St. Francis Xavier, Stoney Creek, League. She was a seminal force on the Red Hill Expressway Committee which successfully lobbied for the development of this key infrastructure for the Niagara Region.
For 33 Years of their married life, Barbara and Paul lived in Stoney Creek where they enjoyed the joys of an older home, renovations, a large lot and fruit trees. Barbara, having grown up with rationing during the war, was always canning and preserving; she made great jams and wonderful pies.
After Mary and John left for university, Barbara re-established her teaching career as an English As A Second Language instructor for Hamilton’s newest residents. She loved teaching ESL; her students became her friends, visiting or calling for many years.
Barbara lived a full and active life: physically, intellectually, and spiritually. Barbara, even in her mid-80’s, could be found at exercise or information classes at LaSalle Park Retirement Residence in Burlington.
Barbara’s family, and Barbara, would like to thank everyone with whom she worked and lived with such love and happiness. Her family thanks the staff at St. Joseph’s Villa for their many kindnesses, thoughtfulness and caring over the past nine months. Also, their courtesy to Mary during Barbara’s final days is much appreciated.
Visitation at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (287 Plains Rd E, Burlington) on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 from 10:00am until the time of Memorial Mass at 11:00am. Interment to follow at Our Lady of the Angels.
In accordance with provincial regulations, there is a limit to the number of visitors who may attend at one time. Please RSVP by visiting the online obituary at www.smithsfh.com or by calling the funeral home between 9am-5pm. All visitors are asked to wear a face mask.