Obituary of Barbara Louise Dunbar

Barbara Louise Dunbar 63, Bridgewater, Lunenburg Co., passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at home surrounded by her family and best friend. Born on July 9, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Sydney and Goldie (Webber) Wentzell. Her early childhood was spent in Port Wallis (Dartmouth). In 1959, the family moved to the Annapolis Valley settling in Mount Denson, Hants County. Following high school, she pursued a nursing career at the Halifax Infirmary, graduating in 1971. She worked as an RN at the former Blanchard Fraser Memorial Hospital, Kentville, the Victoria General and Grace Maternity hospitals in Halifax, Dawson Memorial Hospital and South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater. She later resumed studies to become certified to teach and became an instructor in the Home Health Care program at the NSCC - Lunenburg Campus. Prior to her retirement in March 2014, she was the RN supervisor for Home Health Care for Lunenburg. Barbara was an active member and honorary elder of the West Side United Church, Pentz, where she was a member of the choir and the West Side Players, a church dinner theatre troupe. Barbara leaves to mourn her husband of 42 years, John, Bridgewater; son, John Kenneth (Kim Whynot), Bridgewater; daughter, Julie Leanne (Ed Cassidy). She is also survived by sisters, Judith Wells, Bridgewater; Nancy Wentzell, Kentville; sisters in law, Rose Bent (Dave), Gwen Cuvelier (Gene), Carol Maclearn and brother in law, Arnold Dunbar; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her best friend and “kindred spirit”, Heather MacKay. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Sharon Dunbar. Barbara was a dedicated and enthusiastic health care professional and was highly respected by her colleagues. Her kind, caring, generous and giving spirit made her much loved by all who knew her. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m., Friday in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 2014 in West Side United Church, Rev. Neil A. McEwen officiating, assisted by Rev. John Boddy. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall. Burial in the family plot in the Indian Point Park Cemetery, Indian Point will be at a later date. The family is grateful to Dr.’s Colwell, Rutledge and Biddulph of the QE II Health Sciences Center; Dr. D. Abriel and Noleen Riley of the In Home Palliative Care program, Dr. D. Barss, the VON, Home Health Care professionals, Suzie Hermann and Kathy Dagley and Rene Grider of the Energy Therapy Centre. Family flowers only please, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or West Side United Church. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater, where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.