Obituary of Barbara Louise Harris

In Memory of

Barbara Louise Harris

September 1, 1949-April 1,2021

Following a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma, Barb passed away in St Joseph Hospice in London, Ontario on April 1, 2021.

Sixty-six years ago Barb cheated death by overcoming spinal meningitis and a 14 day coma…… to begin a new life…. full of love…………but packed with challenges. As she learned to stand……and walk……..and run again she would have many falls and missteps  resulting in scrapes and cuts on her hands and knees. When we’d help her up and ask her what happened , Barb would point to her scrape and say “boo-boo”.

Thus, her nickname became Boo or Boo-Boo.

In the following 66 years of her life she showed great determination and resilience in overcoming physical, learning and emotional challenges. She was warm and vulnerable but very self-determined as well. She was very strong in her will to survive and thrive.

Almost 40 years ago Barb was given the opportunity to live independently in the community with the support and guidance of the Alice Saddy Association in London. Their community living program enriched her life immensely. Barb loved her counsellors for all the caring, respect and guidance they provided her. Laurie, Kerry, Juanita, Amy, Emily and others were both family and guardian angels to her.

Barb had other angels in her life. She was so proud of her twin nieces, Amy and Monica. They would come to town to take Aunt Barb to dinner or call her unexpectedly to see how she was doing and tell her about their children. They both brought inspiration to her every time they got in touch.

The other special person in her life was her best friend Sue Chapman. Whether it was coffee or lunch at Tim’s, or going out for dinner, they spent a lot of time together sharing common interests and caring for each other in time of need.

Barb was blessed to have caring people in her life.

Barb was predeceased by her father Edward “Red” Harris, mother Margaret D Harris, and younger brother Doug Harris. She is survived by her sister Susan Jeffrey of Windsor, Ontario, brother Ted Harris (and wife Linda) of Peterborough, Ontario, and brother Al Harris of Edmonton.

All of Barb’s family and “guardian angels” want to thank her medical team. Thank you Dr Lam and Dr. Gurland  for supporting Barb’s needs in these trying times. In addition, we thank the incredible staff at St Joseph Hospice for making Barb feel safe and comfortable in the final weeks.

We miss you Boo-Boo!