Dr. Barbara Wood
Dr. Barbara Wood, nee Katherine Barbara Laird, passed away on June 17, 2016 at Victoria Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Barbara grew up in Sheffield, England. During WWII she experienced many of the deprivations of war including the bombing of Sheffield and rationing, but she had happy memories of summers as a “farm girl” harvesting crops. Barbara graduated with a medical degree from the University of Sheffield Medical School. On June 1, 1950, she married fellow medical student and decorated RAF Squadron Leader, Ian Wood.
Leaving family and friends in Britain, Barbara and Ian immigrated to Canada in 1957, where Ian became doctor of the small town of Rose Valley, Saskatchewan. Barbara courageously adapted to the “evolving” indoor plumbing, running water and telephone service. She was a founding member of the Rose Valley Figure Skating Club. Choreography, costumes and mayhem management over long winter months resulted in the colourful and energetic Figure Skating Carnival. During Rose Valley summers, Barbara was occupied growing and harvesting a large vegetable garden and taking Jim, Angus and Kath to Greenwater Lake for swimming lessons. Barbara and Ian were very much a part of the Rose Valley community and had many friends there.
In 1968, the Wood family moved to Regina where Ian joined a private medical practice. Barbara became a member of St. Paul’s Cathedral Women’s Auxiliary, the Wascana Country Club and the Wascana Curling Club. She played bridge and dabbled in painting. After raising her three children she made the decision to go back into medicine, enduring 3 years of internship and residency to re-qualify. Barbara went into practice with Ian and enjoyed several years of fulfilling work as an appreciated and respected physician.
Barbara and Ian retired to Salt Spring Island, BC in 1989, leaving Regina friends (and harsh winters) to be near their long time friends Hetty and Alan Clews. Barbara volunteered at the SSI Library, played bridge several times a week and served on the Strata Board for Reginald Hill. She was an avid reader and member of an active book club. She enjoyed the “birthday lunch ladies” and the many wonderful productions at ArtSpring, often accompanied by her dear friend Mary Crickmore.
In 2014, Barbara moved to Winnipeg to be closer to her family and was a resident of the Parkway Retirement Community at the time of her death.
Barbara is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Ian Wood. Barbara is survived by her sister Elizabeth Marrison of Sheffield; son James (Greta), granddaughters Delaney and Brynn; son Angus (Maria); daughter Katherine (Stephen Berkson), grandsons Theodore and Tobias Berkson.
A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s name can be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.