Barbara Joan Kemble

Barbara loved making a difference in the lives of others. True even when she spent her final months in Victoria Hospice holding cancer at bay. On June 27, she passed peacefully, her spouse Gary Willison at her side. She is predeceased by her parents, Edward and Evalyn Kemble (Clute), brother Michael and sister Diana. Born in Toronto in 1944, her family moved to Vancouver after WW2. She attended York House School and went on to UBC graduating with a B.Ed. degree. She moved back to Toronto soon after. In the early eighties she created a popular colors and presentation business. Barbara was a woman whose boundless energy allowed her to excel both as a single Mom and an entrepreneur in a time when neither was easy. In the later eighties, she studied interior design at Humber College in Toronto. This was around the time when Gary and she chose to lovingly share their lives together. Upon graduation, she became a partner in a Toronto interior design firm. Later she created her own company. She was an artist and entrepreneur at heart. Fifteen years ago, she and Gary moved to Victoria. She joined bridge groups and book clubs and always looked forward to being with her Friday morning walking groups. She became a gardener extraordinaire and world traveller. Barbara was gregarious, stylish and elegant. Fun to be with. She loved fabric, color, and art. She had a terrific artistic and design sense. She supported many charities. People genuinely loved her, as did Zoe, her devoted pug. And she was always willing to help friends who were in need of support. Barbara will be lovingly remembered by Gary, especially for those spirited crib games and heated Trump discussions and by Christos Doulis, her son, for hours watching Magnum PI on Thursday nights, the many movies they saw together and, recently, the long, enjoyable walks in London. Same for Lisa, her daughter in law, who marveled at the idiosyncratic, yet practical gifts Barbara gave her. Sister in law, Ingunn Kemble, remembers Barbara's curiosity and wonderful sense of adventure while traveling with her in China and India. Niece Hana Kamea commented that "Aunty was always there for me" and had memories of nourishing weekends spent with her. Nephew Martin Kemble: "I remember her always as my awesome aunt from Toronto." They all will miss her laughter and sense of humor. The family thanks everyone at Victoria Hospice for their wonderful support and care. Friends will be invited to a celebration of Barbara's life later in the summer.