Obituary of Gina Barber
Gina Barber (née Vanderbelt), much loved partner for 47 years of husband James E. "Ted" Barber, in her 75th year at Victoria Hospital, London on Sunday, December 17th, 2017. Gina leaves behind her sisters, Bonny Mossip of St. Thomas and Rita (Andrew) Tadema of Sparta; her brother, George (Thea) Vanderbelt of Keswick and her brother-in-law, John Barber of London. She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews, to whom she read many bedtime stories when they were small, and her many great-nieces and nephews. Also missing her will be her good friends, both animal and human. Gina came to Canada, from the Netherlands, with her parents, Hendrick and Henny, and her siblings in 1950. She worked hard to become assimilated, sometimes to the chagrin of her family. Gina did well in school and like so many working-class girls of her era, entered Teachers College. Upon graduation, she taught in elementary schools in Hamilton and London, earned a BA in her spare time and then volunteered with CUSO in India. Upon her return, she enrolled in, and graduated from, an MA program (Sociology) at UWO. She then taught at Fanshawe College as well as working for FWTAO in Toronto for one year. Gina was passionate about politics, managing many political campaigns at all levels and twice serving as a federal NDP candidate. She served on London City Council from 2006-2010, where she and three other councilors – Joni Baechler, Nancy Branscombe and Judy Bryant – were called "the Killer Bees" for their hard work in attempting to ensure responsible land planning and development. She also spearheaded the WHO age-friendly cities movement in London. Following her retirement from council, Gina continued to keep an eye on City Hall, sharing her observations and insights in a well-researched blog, London Civic Watch. For the past few years, Gina focused her energies on The Society for Learning in Retirement London, where she introduced a computer clinic which brings together Western students and seniors and started a seniors' choir. She has also served on the board of Fanshawe Chorus, the London and District Labour Council, the Historic Sites Committee, the City of London Committee of Adjustment and the Byron Justice Circle St. Leonard's. Gina loved opera, books, cooking, writing lyrics, decorating and gardening. She enjoyed entertaining her friends and she had a tender heart for animals, especially cats. Cremation has taken place. Gina's ashes will be scattered in the spring. Friends are welcomed for visiting at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. followed by a service of remembrance at 11:00 a.m. Donations in memory of Gina to the Society for Learning in Retirement London, Ontario's NDP, Federal NDP or the Karen Schuessler Singers would be appreciated.
