BOURDIN, Barbara Mae (nee Smith)

April 22, 1937 – March 8, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara, our loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Barbara was born in Vancouver, but moved several times in her lifetime. Her family moved to Nanaimo when she was a child and then back to Vancouver where she attended John Oliver Secondary School. Barbara had many interests. In her youth she enjoyed figure skating and was an accomplished pianist. At the age of 16 she started a long on and off career with the Bank of Montreal. It was while riding the bus to work that she met her future husband, Gerry. They enjoyed 68 years together, living in Vancouver, Fort St. John, North Vancouver and here on Salt Spring Island.

Moving to Salt Spring in 1970, she worked at the local BMO and took up hobby farming, tending to chickens, pigs, horses, cattle and proudly showing her purebred Suffolk sheep at the Fall Fair. Barbara was a very kind person and had a special way with animals. She was very devoted to her animals. The family always had a variety of pets, many rescued by Barb. She even had a pet chicken that spent her nights at the farmhouse in a crate and would tap on the window to go outside to forage and lay her egg.

Tiny orphaned piglets lived in a crate in the house while Barbara bottle fed them. They would gallop up and down the hallway before growing strong enough to make their home in the barn.

Barbara’s family was of Scottish and Finnish heritage and the ocean was in her blood. She loved boating and fishing with Gerry and in 1994 she took the Power Squadron course so she could safely navigate their 19’ boat, piloting it often to Vancouver or off the coast in Port Renfrew fishing.

In 1978 Gerry completed construction of the Fulford Inn. Barbara, with her banking back ground, managed the establishment together with Gerry and his business partners. She was an excellent cook, so it wasn’t long before not only “doing the books”; Barbara was cooking in the pub kitchen or the staff were using her recipes to feed the loyal patrons.

Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her joy. She adored them all and loved spending time with them.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Gerry and brother Jim Smith.

She leaves to mourn her daughter Kellie, (Perry), son Jay, grandchildren, Travis (Robyn) Ferron, (Ryan) & Brianna, (Ron) Great grandchildren Layne, Chase, Charlie, Jaxson, Sophie & Noah.

The family would like to extend deepest appreciation to the staff at Lady Minto Extended Care for their excellent care and compassion, Dr. Peter Verhuel and Dr. Kimberly Northcott. Very special thanks to Jenny Pickering and Pam Fetherston for their love and care of Barbara in her final years.

At Barbara’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Arthritis Research Centre Society of Canada or the local BCSPCA.