BARBARA CLARK

Barbara passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario. Born in Napanee, Ontario, to Robert George and Alice Gertrude (née Price) Woodcock on November 9, 1937, Barbara was a lifelong educator and music advocate. She began her teaching career in Peterborough before moving to Ottawa, where she earned a B.A. in English from Carleton University in 1971. After retiring from formal teaching in 1990, she continued to lead youth choirs, most notably, The Central Choir (Ottawa Board of Education), which became the Ottawa Children's Choir, and was founding director of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir. Barbara was the artistic director of UNISONG at the National Arts Centre, Niagara International Music Festival, and the Canterbury International Music Festival in England. She continued to be an active member of both the Ottawa Choral Society and the Cantata Singers of Ottawa. She has conducted at many civic and national events, notably at the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa and at the inauguration of Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson in 1999. Barbara has received numerous awards, including the Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), Order of Canada (2001), the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), and a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, (Carleton University, 2006) in recognition of her significant contributions to the arts and choral music in Canada. Barbara is survived by her sister, Dorothy Brabin; sister-in-law, Gwen Woodcock; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers, Murray and Wilfred. A funeral service will take place in Peterborough, Ontario, at Nisbett Funeral Home, on Friday, September 12, 2025. Visitation from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Service to follow at 1:30 p.m. Interment at Rosemount Memorial Gardens; 2551 Whittington Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, at 2:30 p.m. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir or the Ottawa Children's Choir. Condolences/Tributes/Donations www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-233-1143