Barbara James (nee Campbell)

Barbara was born in 1925 in Victoria, British Columbia. She led a fascinating and diverse life; she travelled broadly; she learned throughout her life and shared her knowledge and experience with her many friends. She has touched so many people with her kindness and her teaching.

Barbara attended Victoria High School and Dalhousie University, where she met MacK James, an RCAF pilot, and her future husband. As her father, Claude Campbell, commanded many navy ships during World War II, she had the honour of commissioning a newly built ship that Claude then commanded. She earned a BComms degree at U.B.C. and much later a BA (Archeology) at Simon Fraser University. When her children, Hugh, Heather and Malcolm, were young she helped start a volunteer library in Deep Cove in North Vancouver and was president of the Parent Teacher Association. She taught swimming lessons to many children in the Deep Cove area. She was a lifelong member of the Girl Guide Association and Pi Beta Phi. She studied Ikebana for some 60 years and was respected for her artistry. She was also proficient in Tai Chi. She was a supporter of the NDP, and her life reflected social democratic values. She was always engaged with her family, the community and ever aware of the disadvantaged.

Barbara had the opportunity to travel broadly throughout her life. She and MacK enjoyed many holidays in Mexico. She did archeological field studies in the Central Coast of BC, Peru and Kazakhstan, and she visited archeological sites in Mexico, Turkey and Egypt. She travelled to Japan, China, India, Nepal, Russia, throughout Britain and Europe, and more. But Gabriola Island always remained a favoured spot.

Barbara is survived by her son Hugh, with his wife Tamara; her daughter Heather, with her partner Ron (and Annick); and her son Malcolm, with his wife Gloria – and their children Aaron, Jessica, and Luke, and their families. We must also mention Barbara’s friend, Janet Winkler. The family is sustained in its great loss by the knowledge that the world is a better place, and that they are better people, for Barbara having been here. They will never forget her. In their minds she represents all the best qualities of her generation.