Barbara Marguerite Coles

Barbara Marguerite Coles, 88, Dartmouth, passed away on October 18th, 2017 after a brief illness. Born in Mill Village, NS on February 11, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Barbara Anthony.

As a young woman, Barbara moved to Halifax and worked in sales, and as a buyer, for Birks Jewelers. She met her husband, Gordon F. Coles, Q.C., while he was studying at King’s and Dalhousie Law School.

Together they raised their four children David Coles (Catherine); Derrick Coles; Donna Shewfelt (Don) and Doug Coles (Jacqueline).

Through the years Barbara and Gordon enjoyed extensive travel. They delighted in their eight grand-boys Bobby (Amanda); Daniel (Sarah); Eliot (Randel); Ewen (Kendall); Richard (Sara); Mitchell; Andrew (Sydney) and Charlie and found joy following all their academic, sporting and career achievements.

Barbara was a gifted painter whose oil landscapes and miniature paintings are much-loved. When Barbara was not painting flowers, she was tending to her magnificent gardens that over-looked the Halifax harbor and where featured in a national magazine and an international calendar. She shared these talents with her surviving sister, Evelyn Lockwood, of Mill Village. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

When Gordon passed in 2011, Barbara and Gordon had been married for 55 years. We know Barbara was left with a broken heart. She suffered her first heart attack within 24 hours of his passing. Although Barbara recovered from that heart attack, sadly, her heart and spirit never really healed.

Barbara was predeceased by her siblings Arthur, Vernon, Isabel, Carmon, Marjorie and Marilyn.

We would like to thank the Berkeley, Dartmouth, and its staff and residents for their care and concern for Barbara this past year and also the compassionate nurses and staff of Lewis Hall, Parkland at the Lakes.

As was her wish, a small, private family interment will be held at a later date.

For those wishing to honour Barbara, please pick some wildflowers or purchase a bouquet for yourself to enjoy and reflect upon her memory.