Today I heard that my friend and teaching colleague, Barbara, passed away yesterday afternoon, after her two relentless battles with cancer. I've been struggling all day to come up with some appropriate words, but I keep self-editing as I search for a better way to convey just how funny, talented, generous, perceptive and determined she was - about so many aspects of Barbara's family life, her career, and her friendships.
Barbara took me - a complete stranger - under her wing when I ended up in a very unique teaching situation, about this time of year in 2002. It certainly made that five-week stint a memorable time, and such a valuable learning experience. It helped to mould me into who I am today.
The annual school shopping trip is coming up again in November, and this year Barbara's seat will be empty. However, I can guarantee that as soon as we start sharing favourite Barbara anecdotes, the bus will be filled with happy memories and much laughter. Which is exactly what Barbara would want.
RIP, Barbara...
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1 comment:
My deepest condolences, sir...
If I may, a friend of mine also passed away this year.
Although we never knew Barbara, his friends and I knew Paul well enough to know her battle was his battle, and his, hers.
Paul Keeley, actor and theatre director of note in his native country, acted as guide on a city bus tour of Dublin's 'Haunted History', and his portrait hangs on the very bus he used to work, forever a part of his own tour.
I hope and trust that Barbara's spirit will live on, with Paul's, in a fashion befitting their obvious breadth of character and their contribution to our lives...
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