In Loving Memory of

Barbara Caroline Poole

(Maiden: McLeod )
Jan 22, 1929 - Dec 17, 2012

Barbara "flew away" peacefully at sunrise on December 17th, 2012, after a full and rewarding life. She was born on January 22, 1929, in Coronation, Alberta, where her father was the local doctor. At age twelve, she moved with her family to Calgary attending Rideau Park and Central High schools. While in high school, Barbara was an active leader of YMCAs Sat-Teen Club. Barbara graduated with a Bachelor of Interior Design in 1952 from the University of Manitoba where she received the honour "Lady Stick" for Architecture and Interior Design, was the faculty representative to the Students’ Union and President of the Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity. On November 22, 1952, she married John E. Poole and they settled in Edmonton for their wonderful 54-year marriage.

While a life well lived may be measured by our contributions and achievements, it is our compassion, humanity, and personal talents which fuel the fond memories of those we leave behind. Barbara shared her spirit in abundance. She was a talented craftsman, with a keen eye and love for design and human creativity. She was warm and enthusiastic and loved people, nature, music, art and architecture. She was a wonderful mother, wife, cook and athlete and always encouraged people with a cheery "way to go!" She was proud of swimming a mile each day, growing bouganville and geraniums, backpacking into her 70s, dancing to Mozart’s Requiem with Alberta Ballet, making beautiful weavings and ceramics, the design of her home, and the many accomplishments of her much-loved grandchildren. Her wild goose liver paté, dinner parties, and saskatoon pie were legendary.

Barbara passionately gave her enthusiasm and leadership to numerous organizations in Edmonton and nationally including Citadel Theatre, Edmonton’s Winspear Centre and Art Gallery of Alberta, Canadiana Fund, National Theatre School, National Arts Centre Foundation, Lois Hole Hospital for Women, and National Society for Decorative Arts. She was Chief Factor of Fort Edmonton. In her lifetime she received distinguished awards recognizing her commitment to the community, the arts and nature, notably Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, Alberta Order of Excellence Award (the first time awarded to a couple), the Diplôme D’honneur of the Canadian Conference of the Arts, the YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award and the recent honour of the Cree name Kihei Acahkos Iskwew (Sacred Star Woman).

Barbara will be lovingly remembered by three children Scott, Susan and Peter Poole; six grandchildren Grace and Kelley Poole, Alex and Sarah Keith, Irene and John M. Poole; daughters-in-law Laurie Kelley and Nan Hughes-Poole; former son-in-law David Keith; sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Richard Harrop; sister-in-law Inez Alley; and many much-loved nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband John E. Poole (1916-2007).

We grieve with enormous pride and gratitude for the many gifts and all the love she gave us.

The funeral service will be held in Edmonton at 2:00 pm on January 3, 2013 at All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral (10035 – 103 St.) with a reception to follow at the Winspear Centre, 4 Sir Winston Churchill Square. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Edmonton Community Foundation.