In loving memory ~
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara Anne Ley (formerly Unroe, born Thompson). She floated away peacefully with loved ones at her side on December 3rd, 2024, at Wexford Creek in Nanaimo, B.C.
Always a fierce lover of words, this was one of her favourite quotes:
"Nothing in the world is permanent, and we're foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we're still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it. If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy. We can none of us step into the same river twice, but the river flows on, and the other river we step into is cool and refreshing too." -W. Somerset Maugham, The Razor's Edge
Barbara was born to parents Patricia Anne and Herb Thompson in Victoria, BC. on Sept 23rd, 1940, the eldest of 5 sisters. She was predeceased by her sister Linda, loving husband Rowan Ley, and father of her daughters John Unroe. She is survived by sisters Susan, Margaret and Julie, two loving daughters Maya and Tamara, 3 stepsons Steven, David, and Jon, and 7 fabulous grandchildren.
Barb was a compassionate and adventurous soul, with sparkling green eyes like an elf from a magical forest. She began her adult life as a student at the St Joseph's College of Nursing in Victoria, and later went on to study Psychiatric nursing in Ottawa. One of her first postings was as a public health nurse on Cape Breton Island, N.S. She married fellow adventurer John Unroe and together they travelled through Central and South America by car and tent, and later moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where they raised their two daughters. Barbara worked as an addictions counsellor with women in and out of prison, and was a part of the founding of one of the first transition houses in Atlantic Canada.
She would later sell everything and embark on a sailing adventure with her family and their dog Mignonne, that would take them across the Atlantic Ocean and int the Mediterranean Sea for 7 years aboard the sailboat "Prion". Like Ulysses, Barbara later returned home to her family roots in BC, where she worked as an addictions counsellor in Courtenay, Port Hardy, and surrounding isolated communities until her retirement in 2005. She was a kind and gentle listener, a friend and support to many in times of distress.
At the ripe age of 67, while volunteering at Glacier View Lodge in Courtenay B.C, Barbara encountered Rowan Ley, who became the love of her life. Together they shared joy and song with residents living with Dementia. Their love for each other grew with their shared delight in words. They read Alice in Wonderland together in the evenings and poetry over breakfast. True to their love of stories, dressed as Alice and the Mad Hatter, Barb and Rowan married at Glacier view, and went on to share the rest of their lives together in Alice's Wonderland. They filled their world with poetry, kayaking, camping on tree island, hiking, and ballroom dancing. These were the happiest times of her life!
Regretfully, after several happy years, Barb was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. After ten years living with the disease, cared for by her amazing, patient and loving husband, and eventually by the compassionate and dedicated staff at Wexford Creek longterm care in Nanaimo, Barbara went gracefully down the final rabbit hole herself. Alice looking for a new river to step into. I do believe this one is cool and refreshing, too.
We love and miss you, mum!
There will be an intimate, private celebration of Barbara's life in Comox on June 7th, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please light a candle for her, read a poem, play a beloved piece of music, or consider donating to the Wexford Creek Dementia Cottages, where Barbara spent her final days amongst loving, kind and dedicated people. We are forever grateful to the support she received there.