Barbara Jean "Barb" Winberg

On Tuesday August 27, Barbara Jean “Barb” Winberg left the world suddenly at the age of
70. Barb was a mother, a sister, and aunt, and a dear friend to many; she was so loved, and
her loss is being felt around the world.
Barb was born on May 10, 1954, to Jim and Amy Bell. She spent her formative years in
Alberta, specifically in Edmonton, where she was a school leader, a creative, and a rebel
when it mattered. She knew from a young age that her dream was to become a fashion
designer, and she worked hard towards reaching that goal.
In 1973 Barb moved from Edmonton to Toronto to pursue her degree in fashion design at
Ryerson Polytech (now Toronto Metropolitan University). It is there that she made some of
her closest friends, and took the city by storm. When she graduated Barb went on to work for
several notable fashion houses and traversed the corporate fashion world for a time, but in
the early 90s she decided, after the birth of her two daughters, to become a stay at home
mom.
Barb never stopped using her fashion knowledge and skills despite no longer working in the
industry; when it was time for a school play, she was there doing fittings and making the
most tremendous costumes for every character; she designed outfits for wedding parties,
took on huge home decor projects, and always had the best Halloween costumes in the
neighbourhood. Most of all, though, Barb loved being a community mother and her house
(and kitchen table) was the site of many neighbourhood gatherings.
Barb went back to school and became an Early Childhood Educator once her daughters
graduated from high school, and launched a new chapter of her life with Kids Come First
Childcare Centres in Thornhill. As Supervisor at the Thornhill Woods P.S. location, Barb
once again became the centre of a community and a beloved carer to children from all over
the neighbourhood. She was a safe space for many families, a caring colleague and
advocate for the rights of children, and enjoyed her work tremendously.
When it was time to retire, Barb had two stipulations about where she wanted to live: close
to family, and near the ocean, which she was captivated by her whole life. She chose
Chemainus on Vancouver Island, 45 minutes from her older brother Jim and a 3 minute drive
to the Pacific. She chose to live in Creekside Villas and became a valued neighbour and
respected member of the strata board. When her younger sister, Brenda joined her in April
2023, Barb connected with the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society (CVCAS) and
participated in many of their projects, as a secretary on the board and often volunteering at
the various music and arts events happening in town. Barb quickly became a treasured
member of the Chemainus community, making many new friends along the way.
Barb was the best mother to Laura Winberg and Sarah Winberg (Jeff Quesnel) and a
beloved sister to Jim Bell (Reta Johnson), Rob Bell (d. 1998) and Brenda Bell, as well as
sister-in-law to Syrell Wilson (Dale Wilson), an aunt to Carson Bell, and great-aunt to Erica
Bell. Family was always at the core of every choice Barb made, and her loss will be felt
forever.
Barb’s family invites her friends to celebrate her life on Saturday, September 28 at The Hall,
St Michael’s Anglican Church in Chemainus. For those unable to make the journey, a virtual
option will be available. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Heart
and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Barb’s family is so grateful to the friends, neighbours, and community members who have
touched them with their outpouring of love, grief, and support. Your kind words and thoughts
are a testament to how immensely loved Barb truly was.
Happy trails, Barb. Your legacy of love and kindness will live on in all of us.