Barbara Violet Saunders (neé Davies)

Barbara was born in the middle of the Great Depression, growing up in a large three-story house with her two brothers along with a wonderful extended family. Nothing was wasted. Candles and soap were made from rendered fat from the Sunday roast in the basement. Clothes were hand-made. Because of the riches in family life in hard times, Barbara learned the domestic arts at the knee of her elders and became a talented seamstress and knitter. After graduation from high school, Barbara had her basic training to become a registered nurse during the polio epidemic. There was room upon room of patients in iron lungs.  Most would gradually recover. Barbara was a very independent adventurous young woman. Upon nursing graduation, she and her best friend, Shirley, despite stern fatherly disapproval, set sail to Europe for the backpacking hitchhiking adventure of a lifetime. 

Years later, Barb returned to school, achieving a master's degree with Magna Cum Laude honors in nursing administration, at the University of Ottawa. 

A Career Highlight 

Early in Barbara’s nursing career, a director of medicine asked her if she would accept a difficult hospital assignment. A very badly burned young man had been brought in. He probably would not make it and no other nurse was willing to take on the heartbreak of his care. She accepted the responsibility. It took half of each shift to boil the sheets to hang to make a sterile environment to begin the grim, excruciating task of debridement. She was dedicated solely to her patient’s care for months. She saved his life. When reflecting on her life, she would return to this profound experience many times.  

Hobbies and favorite activities of Barb’s included travel; attending the theatre; playing bridge; gardening and sustainable agriculture; writing; reading; and the challenge of the Sunday New York Times Crossword. 

Barbara is survived by daughter Diane McLoughlin (Jorg Wurzler); daughter Tracy McLoughlin (Mike Evraire); grandchildren Thomas McLoughlin-Coleman (Brad Bujaki) and Emily McLoughlin-Coleman; brother Victor Davies (Lori); Sister-in-law Gale Greene; nieces Suzanne Davies (Martin Knies) and Heather Davies (Greg Rose); Grandnieces Chelsea and Caleigh; and Cousin Barrie Burns (Barb). 

Predeceased by beloved mother and father Violet and Sydney Davies of Winnipeg; brother Lloyd Davies; first husband Gerard Thomas McLoughlin; and second husband, Lorne Saunders, of Osgoode, Ontario. 

Memorial Services 

A celebration of life may be scheduled at a later date. Interment will be at Prescott Road Union Cemetery, Stagecoach Rd., Osgoode, Ontario.  

Tubman’s Funeral Home of Ottawa, Ontario, is helping with arrangements. We appreciate their kind assistance at this difficult time.  Donations may be made through them to the Royal Ottawa Hospital or to a charity of your choice, and would be very much appreciated.

Barbara will be dearly missed by her friends, including her friends at the Dr. Robert A. Dowd Place seniors’ apartments, in Osgoode, Ontario.   

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Peter D. Clark Home for their dedicated loving care.