BARBARA JANE BARKER
Barbara died peacefully, on April 12, 2026, in Ottawa, at the age of 99. Her beloved husband, Jim, predeceased her in 2014, after 63 years of marriage. She is survived by her cherished sons, Jonathan (Margaret), and Christopher (Stephanie). She was the very proud grandmother of AL, Sophie, Ruyn, Max and Echo.
Barbara was born in Chatham, Ontario, in 1926, the eldest of three children. Daughter of Cornelius (Spike) Bermingham and Dorothy (Dumpie) Bermingham; she was the sister of Bill (Lou Donald) and John (Nonie Melville). She attended Queen’s University during the war, and after graduation, she moved to England, where she re-established contact with Jim. He took a position with External Affairs in Ottawa in 1950, and they were married in 1951. Barbara shared an adventurous diplomatic career with Jim, with many roles in many interesting locations: Moscow, London, Ottawa (as Chief of Protocol), Dar es Salaam, Mauritius, Somalia, and Athens among them. Barbara’s interests throughout her life were very broad, from gardening, sculpting, scuba diving, and renovating their 125-year-old house, to volunteering for numerous causes and supporting numerous charities. She will be remembered by everyone for her adventurous spirit, zest for life, sense of humour, her artistic abilities, and above all, for her kindness and common sense. She will be dearly missed. At Barbara’s request, there will be no funeral.
On June 20, 2026, family and friends are invited to a remembrance celebration at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club, 1405 Aylmer Road, Gatineau, Quebec, from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute would be welcome.