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Barbara Alice HUMPHREYS

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Barbara HUMPHREYS Obituary

Published by Ottawa Citizen on Feb. 25, 2017.

HUMPHREYS, Barbara Alice
B.Arch., MRAIC
At the age of 97, Barbara passed away suddenly on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in the arms of her beloved husband Douglas and her much loved daughter Gwyneth (Hiro). Barbara was born on October 8, 1919 in Kelliher, Saskatchewan, the daughter of the late William and Olive Humphrys and was predeceased by two brothers, Ted and Dick of Ottawa. After schooling in Kelliher, she enrolled in architecture at the University of Manitoba, graduating with the gold medal in architecture in the spring of 1941 - one of a very few Canadian women architects at that time. She was later described as the "quintessential Ontario woman architect" in the book "Designing Women" (Adams and Tancred). Her early career took her to Thunder Bay, Montreal with Defense Industries, Toronto with Victory Aircraft and then to Ottawa with Veterans' Land Act and the Chief Architect's branch of the Federal Public Works. In 1952 she married Douglas, an economist with the Bank of Canada and in 1953 moved with him to a house she designed on the banks of the Rideau Canal in Manotick, Ontario. With the birth of their daughter, Gwyneth, she resigned from Public Works to devote her attention to raising her daughter while engaging in private practice in Manotick, Ottawa and Kingston. She was also very involved in community life – particularly heritage associations – serving as a member of LACAC, one of the founders of Dickinson Day, associated with the creation of the popular Miller's Oven, and was a fierce defender of Watson's Mill as a significant historical Canadian asset. Sparked by an interest in early Canadian architecture, she rejoined the government and worked as a consultant to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board. This led to a founding role in the Canadian Inventory of Historic Building, retiring as its Head in 1981. After retirement, for several years she taught a course on Canadian historical architecture at Carleton University. Always interested in the young, she lectured at many schools and co- authored numerous publications dedicated to the architecture of the Rideau Canal area. In recognition of her contribution to Canada she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Gabriel Léger Medal, given annually by Heritage Canada. Cherished by her family, she was respected and loved by many neighbours, colleagues and friends, young and old. Her wonderful smile, her freely offered help and her love of community and Canada will be sorely missed. At Barbara's request cremation has taken place. On Wednesday, March 1, the family welcomes you for visitation at 2:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:30 p.m. at
Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery
3700 Prince of Wales Drive
613-692-1211
In Remembrances donations to the Ottawa Mission or the Salvation Army would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences at
www.arbormemorial.ca/en/capital

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Recent Activity

March 1, 2017

Leslie Maitland posted to the memorial.

February 28, 2017

Tish and Ben Forster posted to the memorial.

February 26, 2017

Debbie & Keith Brownlee posted to the memorial.

11 Entries

Leslie Maitland

March 1, 2017

I worked for Barbara in the late 1970s and early 80s. She was so knowledgeable, and so insightful. She was a wonderful mentor, and cultivated an entire generation of people who cared for Canada's built heritage. A remarkable person.

Tish and Ben Forster

February 28, 2017

Dear Doug, Gwyn, Hiro and Family
My mother, Pat, enjoyed Barbara's close friendship and support so much for 60 years or more.Our family was blessed to have such wonderful neighbours .Barb was a warm, intelligent, funny person with a lively interest in local history .My husband, Ben, and I had many pleasant visits with Barb, and Doug, and we will always remember those times.,With love Tish and Ben Forster

Debbie & Keith Brownlee

February 26, 2017

Our Deepest Sympathy to all of her family. She was a beautiful caring lady and a lovely neighbour. She will be missed.

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Joseph Y Baxter

February 26, 2017

Dear Douglas, Gwynneth and family,
My heartfelt sympathy on the passing of dear Barbara, a beloved wife and mother. Doug was an associate of mine since he joined the Bank of Canada those many eons ago! To my delight, I met Barbara and both Doug and Barbara have been wonderful long time friends. I especially remember Barbara's aid and support when the Rideau Conservation Area acquired my deceased wife Marjorie's and my old farm on the Rideau above Kars, now the Baxter Conservation Area. Barbara was always such an outgoing, intelligent, interested and interesting lady. She was always such a joy to visit with Doug at their specially designed home on the Rideau at Manotick whenever I got back to visit my birthplace. God rest you Barbara and bless you. Joseph T Baxter

Georgie and Bill Tupper

February 25, 2017

Doug,Gwen,and Family
It is with sadness that we learned of Barbara's passing. At the same time we are reminded of her creative and productive life in so many spheres.
She was a very special citizen. Her contributions to the development of the heritage movement in Rideau are remarkable. Her role in the designation of heritage buildings, in the development of the Historical Society, in the creativity of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and the energy she directed towards the preservation of Watsons Mill and Dickinson Square are those of a special community builder.
She extended to the Tuppers many courtesies over the years, all of which were greatly appreciated.
How fortunate we are that she elected to live among us. Our sympathy at thes time of great family loss.

Mary. Prince Kaschub

February 25, 2017

I am happy that I got to spend an enjoyable afternoon with Doug and Barbara twice this past year when I came to visit in Manotick.
Sending love, hugs and prayers to Doug and Gwynneth

KELLEY

February 25, 2017

MAY THE THOUGHT OF KNOWING THAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF BE OF COMFORT TO YOUR FAMILY.PLEASE READ PROV 17:17

February 25, 2017

Long time next door neighbour. Condolences to family.

Allison Flowerdew (Rowe)

February 25, 2017

It is hard to choose words to describe Barbara, because they are too small for so great an individual. Her absence from this world is felt so very deeply, because she was a founding part of who we are. I thank God that we were able to have her for as long as we did.
While we feel much pain at this loss, I take comfort in knowing that her bright smile, kindness, passion, integrity, thoughtfulness, encouragement, boldness, humor, gentleness, beauty and truth will live on in each of us whose lives she touched. The pain hurts, but just as a seed must die before it can give life, I pray that Barbara's passing would be a catalyst for growth and new life in each of us - that her life and her character would deeply inform how we see the world and each other, and that our memories with her would brighten and inspire us on our journey through this life.
We loved her even more than we knew; may we honour her legacy with lives that reflect Barbara: with a willing gladness to listen thoughtfully to each person who crosses our path, understanding their potential and their worth; with a delight in the creation and birds outside our windows; with a thorough contentedness in afternoons spent in story-telling and memory-making with our loved ones, learning and delighting in telling and hearing their stories as our own; keeping a journal because it is "such fun" to look back on.
Perhaps most importantly, may we remember to cherish one another as Barbara showed us - never failing to impart a word of encouragement as we parted ways: our heads bowed together, our smiling eyes meeting, our connection of love reaffirmed, giving us inner strength and hope for finding beauty, life and success in the days to come.
We love you, Barbara. Thank you, so much, for it all.

Sue Bland

February 25, 2017

This beautiful lady was our family's Book Fairy for over 2 decades. Together with Doug, she sent parcels of books and sweets every Hallowe'en, Christmas and Easter for well over 2 decades to four young girls who lived on a farm not far from her birthplace in Kelliher. The arrival of the Book Fairy's parcel was a highlight of our lives. When we visited Manotick, she and Doug would take the girls to Chapters (and in later years to the used bookstore at the Mill) to buy any book that they would like. Any book at all! This was followed by a meal out with the best desserts. We called Mrs. Humphreys "Barbara the Book Fairy". She was a truly remarkable woman, always interested, always encouraging, always generous, with a marvellous self depecrating sense of humour, a bright light and a wonderful storyteller. She was very down to earth (always proud of her prairie roots) yet for us there was something very magical about her. She and Doug were marvellous friends to my parents as well. Our family was immeasurably enriched by knowing Barbara and Doug. Our hearts go out to Doug, Gwyneth and Hiro.

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