Barbara
Barbara Anne Shields
d. September 16, 2019
After a full and active life, Barbara chose her own time of departure, to go peacefully with devoted friends by her side. She leaves behind her cherished nieces and nephews and happy memories of their times together.
Barbara grew up in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, daughter of Jean (nee Pollock) and J.E. ("Dutch") Shields. Predeceased by big brothers Jim and Roy, she will be remembered in Kerrobert as that schoolgirl who played the organ in church and the piano for a dance band, aptly called 6 Bops and a Babe.
After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan and later McGill with a bachelor's in social work, she held a variety of posts in social services, interspersed with ventures into the private sector. These ventures began with writing commercials for the fledgling Calgary television station, then merchandising and public relations for Laura Secord in Toronto and finally, briefly "winging-it" in public relations with small independentcompanies.
In 1967 she settled into a career in the Ontario government, joining the newly appointed Women's Bureau in the Ministry of Labour. It was a time of fast-changing life and employment opportunities for women, so the tiny bureau (staff of 5) became the central force behind the introduction of the 1970 legislation for Equal Employment Opportunities.
Several years later the same effort produced legislation for Equal Pay for Equal Work. Barbara's focus then turned to the need to inform women of their employment rights and to prepare them for employment in a new technological age. She wrote articles and a series of brochures on non traditional careers for the upcoming generation of young women, challenging them to look beyond traditional roles. Following this ground-breaking work she moved to the Ministry of Education, liaising with schools and colleges.
On retirement, Barbara spent summers at her secluded country cottage where family and friends came and went freely and where her dogs could roam happily. Throughout her life Barbara's love of dogs, in particular Airedales, led to many long-lasting friendships that became part of her extendedfamily.
Finally, the girl raised on the bald prairies, who knew nothing about ocean living, moved to Victoria to the waterfront home and environment she came to love. And here, her far-flung extended family would return, like homing pigeons, to celebrate their traditional Xmas festival.
If desired, in memory of Barbara, donations may be made to Dying with Dignity, Canada or the SPCA.
Barbara grew up in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, daughter of Jean (nee Pollock) and J.E. ("Dutch") Shields. Predeceased by big brothers Jim and Roy, she will be remembered in Kerrobert as that schoolgirl who played the organ in church and the piano for a dance band, aptly called 6 Bops and a Babe.
After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan and later McGill with a bachelor's in social work, she held a variety of posts in social services, interspersed with ventures into the private sector. These ventures began with writing commercials for the fledgling Calgary television station, then merchandising and public relations for Laura Secord in Toronto and finally, briefly "winging-it" in public relations with small independentcompanies.
In 1967 she settled into a career in the Ontario government, joining the newly appointed Women's Bureau in the Ministry of Labour. It was a time of fast-changing life and employment opportunities for women, so the tiny bureau (staff of 5) became the central force behind the introduction of the 1970 legislation for Equal Employment Opportunities.
Several years later the same effort produced legislation for Equal Pay for Equal Work. Barbara's focus then turned to the need to inform women of their employment rights and to prepare them for employment in a new technological age. She wrote articles and a series of brochures on non traditional careers for the upcoming generation of young women, challenging them to look beyond traditional roles. Following this ground-breaking work she moved to the Ministry of Education, liaising with schools and colleges.
On retirement, Barbara spent summers at her secluded country cottage where family and friends came and went freely and where her dogs could roam happily. Throughout her life Barbara's love of dogs, in particular Airedales, led to many long-lasting friendships that became part of her extendedfamily.
Finally, the girl raised on the bald prairies, who knew nothing about ocean living, moved to Victoria to the waterfront home and environment she came to love. And here, her far-flung extended family would return, like homing pigeons, to celebrate their traditional Xmas festival.
If desired, in memory of Barbara, donations may be made to Dying with Dignity, Canada or the SPCA.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Anne Shields, please visit our flower store.
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