Tribute

CHADWICK, Barbara Joan

(nee CLARK)

Mom, “G”, “GG”, Aunty Barb passed away peacefully in her sleep at Kiwanis Pavilion on December 29, 2020, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Royal Jubilee Hospital on January 10, 1933 to Stan and Marjory Clark, she and her younger brother Tom moved from Shirley to Duncan when she was 10. Mom was in the first graduating class from Cowichan Secondary School in 1951 and 50 years later it was her great pleasure to coordinate that class reunion. In 1953 she married Bob, moved to Garden Street and started her family in ’54. Moving back into her family home on Coronation Avenue in ’55, she was a stay-at-home Mom to all five of us kids and dozens of our friends, something she was very proud of.

She is survived by sons Mike (Sue), Bill (Sheryl) and John (Ant), 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, her sister-in-law Marilyn Clark and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Sherri, son Rick, parents Stan and Marj Clark and her brother Tom and niece Linda Clark.

Mom was and avid 5-pin bowler which led her to go into partnership with Stan and Marj in building and operating the Duncan Bowling Centre on James Street. Mom and Sherri spent many a night behind the counter while the boys set pins. While we all bowled on family teams at one time or another, Mom was always the 5-pin Queen! In 1978 Mom went back to work at the CIBC as a teller serving customers, friends and family with a smile that could light up a room. She retired in 1991 but stayed in touch with her many friends from the bank, enjoying social gatherings, those memorable pool parties and luncheons.

Mom loved family trips like Seattle to the World’s Fair in ’62 with 3 youngsters in tow, Disneyland in ’67 with 5 and to Reno for a week of skiing, shopping and casinos, all the kids and grandkids combined! Mom loved casinos and was always up for a trip, be it to the States or local, she always loved the ring of the slot machines!

Mom moved to the Kiwanis Pavilion in Victoria in 2015 where she loved the staff, the food and the friendships she made. She looked forward to hosting the annual family Christmas/Birthday party in the Activity Room. Mom was passionate about entertaining, something she had done from day one on Coronation Avenue. Be it Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, Easter, Birthdays or “Card Night”, she loved a party. Mom was always the magnet that drew us together and the glue that kept us there.

Thanks to all the staff at Kiwanis Pavilion, especially Glen, the two Tara’s, and Carol for the love and compassion you showed Mom every day, to Shannon, Suzanne, Krista, Dalton and Ann for enabling all the visits and Zoom calls over the past few months and Dr. Domke for your dedication to Mom’s health and well being.

Due to COVID, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.