YOUNG, Barbara Claire Courtney, at White Rock on January 30th, 2008 after a brief illness. Survived by her loving husband Michael and her two children Claire Smith (Andrew Pollard) and Christopher Smith (Cory Heavener) and grandchildren Ryan and Gabrielle. Also sadly missed by stepchildren Maureen Young (Erik Kidd) and Christine Young (Alex Bagley), Maureen's children Adrian, Sofie, Angus, Graeme, and Christine's son Liam.
Barbara was a beautiful person and always rose above pettiness in the interest of others. She was loving, compassionate, caring and had a wonderful sense of humour. She was an incredible mother, grandmother and partner for her husband. We will all miss her very much and her legacy and spirit will carry us forward.
Barbara was a Nursing graduate of Royal Jubilee Hospital. She married her first husband, Brian Smith and had some happy years raising her children in Victoria.
Barbara later was determined to establish a Nursing School at UVIC and spearheaded a successful coalition, which resulted in the school being founded at the University. She subsequently earned her BScN at the University of Victoria, where she worked as a health sciences and nursing education program coordinator.
At age fifty Barbara trained for weeks and hiked the West Coast Trail with a small group of close friends, an experience she always cherished.
She will also be remembered by her colleagues on the National Parole Board where she was a part-time Board member for six years.
Her father, George Wallace Courtney's family were early settlers in Victoria, and Courtney Street was named after the family. Like her father, Barbara was a very active Rotarian, being the first woman to become a Rotarian on Vancouver Island in 1989. After her marriage to Michael in 1993 she retired from the University and moved to White Rock where she joined the Rotary Club of White Rock in 1995 and served as a very active member and Director for several terms until her unfortunate illness. The outpouring of support to Barbara and her family during the past several weeks has been truly appreciated.
Celebration of her life will be held at the Hazelmere Golf Club in South Surrey on February 16, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Charity of your choice.