Barbara Allison, singer and former teacher and choir leader at Brooksbank Elementary in North Vancouver, died peacefully on February 9.
Barb was a self-made woman, whose scrappy determination enabled her to put herself through university and become a teacher in midlife. She found joy and purpose in teaching and enjoyed championing classroom non-conformists. She took pride in resisting such absurdities as computerized report cards by writing insightful comments for each of her students, as well as year-end rhyming tributes to them, which won the respect of students, colleagues, principals and parents. For years, she couldn’t walk through local malls or go out for dinner without having former students approach her (having recognized her trademark red jacket and glamourous hair style) and thank her for her transformative influence on their lives. Her bombastic style was an irritant to some of her colleagues, and she was once described by a fellow teacher as nothing but a prima donna, to which she replied, You got that right, sister!
A classically trained soprano, Barb auditioned for the Vancouver Opera twice, and was accepted into the chorus both times, but refused, saying she was a soloist. Years later she incorporated opera in her music classes, claiming it was the perfect art form for Grade 7 kids who naturally appreciated passion, defiance and doomed heroism.
In spite of a tumultuous first marriage, Barb never gave up on finding love, and told hilarious stories about her dating experiences (What a bunch of weirdos!) until one day a mechanical engineer knocked on the door, and Barb met the love of her life. Jim Lundblom was a strong, protective man who was the perfect foil for Barb’s mercurial nature, offering her calm acceptance and summer motorcycle travels.
When Jim died, she started volunteering – singing for seniors, and joining the Deep Cove Lions, shaking the can for the Canvass for Children campaigns, using her operatic voice to yell Cheapskate! at passersby. Never forgetting the lean years when as a single parent she’d worked as a cleaner in her sister’s bakery, and took the bus to UBC (she appreciated the kindness of Gordon Smith, her Fine Arts instructor, who often gave her rides home to the North Shore), she was a generous donor to many charities, and financially assisted many family members and friends.
Barb was predeceased by her twin sister Beverley Harper, her son Karl Gutensohn, and her niece Rebecca Olson Gervais. Her daughter Kathy, son-in-law Robin Sirett, grandchildren Patrick and Nikki, and great-nieces Kyla and Stacey, will always remember her youthful attitude, sense of humour and love of fast red cars.
At North Shore Hospice, heavily sedated but still fighting her loss of independence, Barb found solace in music – her opera, jazz and Johnny Cash cds were brought in and cranked up so she – and everyone else - could hear them. Several nurses became opera fans.
As Barb faded, Kathy quietly reassured her mom that after working hard all her life and helping countless people, she could simply let go. Barb rallied and said clearly: I’m trying to get better!
Those were her last words.
Many thanks to the doctors and nurses who showed Barb great kindness as they cared for her at Lions Gate Hospital’s Acute Care, 4E and North Shore Hospice. Thanks also to George and Mark McKenzie at McKenzie Funerals who were very caring in their work.
Barb opposed a memorial, proposing an alternative - support performing artists by attending a concert, or support arts education by donating to The Gordon Smith Foundation (Artists for Kids). To write a condolence for the family please visit www.mckenziefuneralservices.com