BARBARA ELEANOR BLACK

My fondest memories of Barbara are from that summer (was it only one summer? It occupies such a large place in my memories of adolescence, it’s hard to believe it was just one summer) when Miggy and I spent all our free time at her first apartment on St. Jean St. In Longueuil. Barbara was the very best kind of older sibling - she indulged our teenage antics and our silliness with humour and let us hang around even when she had friends over - a rare treat for a couple of fifteen year olds to be in the company of these older, independent, age of majority kids that we thought were so cool. Sometimes Cathy, Barbara’s bestie at the time, would join us to play street tennis in the parking lot across the road. They were anything but serious games, with much joking around and laughing and tiggering (hopping around like Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh). It was a magic time for me - for Miggy too, I think - it was our coming of age summer and I will always hold it close to my heart. The next year both the Black girls would be on their way to Australia to meet their mum and I didn’t know if I would ever see either of them again. I will always be grateful to Barbara for that wonderful summer and I have always loved and admired her and still think she’s cool.

Dear Neil and family I hope today brings some salve to the pain and loss you have all experienced with Barbara’s passing. Remarkable people fill our lives with possibilities, hope and joy. It’s what makes their passing and absence so hard. You are all in our hearts and thoughts.

That day in 1979 when I met Barbara in the dining hall at St Catherine’s College, Nedlands, the world became a friendlier place. Our early friendship developed as we shared mealtimes, went jogging in Kings Park and swimming at Beatty Park. After university we each married, developed careers and moved. Barbara to Albany, me to B.C. Canada. We wrote letters, emails and text messages. We planned visits and walks and meals. Together with our husbands we hiked among the wildflowers at Black Tusk Meadows, the cedar forests in Capilano Canyon B.C., the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and the spectacular coastal trails of Albany. After we retired from busy careers we studied online courses and shared our learning, our challenges and our joys during video chats. In 2023 Barbara drove by herself to visit me in Cottesloe during my trip to Australia. I went again to W.A. in 2024 and saw her for the last time. I have always treasured my friendship with Barbara - her courage, her determination, and her kindness that sparkled from her bright brown eyes. I am grateful that Barbara was cared for with warmth and love by her devoted husband, Neil, during the challenges of a difficult illness. My friend, I have cried a thousand tears and railed against your death. Yet, it is not your death that stays with me, but the kindness of your bright brown perceptive eyes. You were an extraordinary human.

An ideal work colleague. In the early years (the 1990s) of the Centre for Staff Development, UWA, Barbara made an enormous contribution – vision, creativity, diligence, attention to detail, earnest concern to meet the needs of those for whom our services were intended to the highest possible standards. And her outstanding professionalism was always delivered with kindness and care.

Dear Neil, My sincere condolences. It was a pleasure to have known Barbara. She accomplished a great deal in her life and helped many people through her efforts. My thoughts are with you, I wish you all the very best as you deal with your loss. Kindest regards, Keith

I always admired Barbara as a humble professional and human being. A gentle, warm and intelligent soul and a privilege to have known her. She made a big contribution to our community through the University of WA in Albany. Sincere condolences to Neil at this tender and difficult time.