Jane Wright
May 6, 1953 – Dec. 1, 2014
We are greatly saddened to announce that Jane Wright (nee Barker) passed away on December 1st, at the age of 61.
She was predeceased by her father and mother Tom and Mary (nee Adams) Barker and her son Jack.
Jane is survived by her husband John, daughter Kate (Jason) Burrows, sons Nick and Henry, granddaughter Olivia, sisters Nicky (Mike) Taylor and Julia (Mike) Badham, and goddaughter Allison (nee Drake) Riley.
Born in Toronto, raised in Ottawa, Jane attended Queen’s University and received degrees in Arts and Education. After graduation and marriage in 1975, Jane moved to BC, teaching school in Fruitvale, Trail and Surrey before continuing on to Vancouver, a place that became home for her.
Jane moved to Australia in 1981 and began raising a family. She made homes in Sydney Australia, Tumbler Ridge BC, Greymouth New Zealand and many times in Vancouver settling there in 1988. It never mattered to her children where they lived, as long as they were always home with Mum.
Jane was an active volunteer at her children’s schools, the scorekeeper in softball and baseball and always a participant in her children’s activities.
While raising her children Jane Barker Wright began to write, and had two novels published as well as multiple short stories and poems. As the children grew up Jane returned to painting and her portraits were shown successfully in Vancouver and on Saltspring. Jane walked miles for her art.
Throughout her life, she was an avid reader, a cryptic crossword expert, a Scrabble addict, a long range walker and an accomplished gardener. During the last 10 years she traveled extensively, with Easter Island and anywhere in Italy being her favourite destinations. Jane’s second home was at Cusheon Lake on Saltspring. At first the island represented the annual one week family vacation and progressed to spending more time on Saltspring than anywhere else.
Her family, the extended Barker and Wright families and all her friends will miss her dearly.
We were all truly fortunate to have had such a person as a friend, a sister, a wife, a mother. Most fortunate for Jane was that she became a grandmother.
Special thanks to the BCCA medical staff (Dr Ho), Homecare (Sarah) and Jane’s family doctor (Dr Storey) who took such good care of her and helped her to battle with dignity.
A party to say farewell will take place in the spring.
Hopefully everything reminds loved ones
Virtue existed.