Obituary of Barbara Ann Campbell

Barbara Ann (nee Stephenson) Campbell, 81, passed away on 21 October 2016 at Saint John Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Barbara was born in Saint John, NB as the first of five daughters born to Mabel (nee Adams) and Harold Stephenson. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Donald Marshall Campbell; children Peter Harold Rye (Margo Whittaker) and Dr. BJ Rye (Judy Helperin); two grandsons Scott Campbell Rye and Peter Campbell Rye; four sisters: Sue McLeese (Jim), Helen Clifford (John), Phyllis Gutenkunst (Andy Dunn), and June Garnett (Bob). Her nieces Brenda, Mary Helen, & Ruth McLeese, Doris Gutenkunst, and Mary Ann Harrington (honourary niece) and nephews Brent & Kenneth Clifford were very special to Barbara. She also leaves many grand nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by nephew Phillip McLeese and niece Dawn Clifford, and her best friend of 70 years, Helene Ovesen. Barbara was the salutatorian of the first graduating class of Simonds Regional High School. She lived most of her life in the Glen Falls and Forest Hills neighbourhoods of Saint John. Barbara worked at a number of organizations including Mackay Forest Products, Saint John River Basin Board, and she retired from Bell Aliant (NBTel) in 1994 after 17 years of service progressing from an executive secretary to a systems analyst. Barbara was a voracious reader, a supporter of good grammar, and a Scrabble aficionado. She loved cats, bird watching and flowers; enjoyed Netflix and gardening; and appreciated a good conversation. Thanks to the Saint John Extra Mural respiratory therapists and nurses who provided excellent, compassionate care during Barbara’s decade long battle with COPD. Special thanks to Linda Campbell, in particular. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 12 noon from Brenan’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Ocean View Memorial Gardens. Barbara requested that any donations made in her memory be to the Saint John Extra Mural program through the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation (https://www.sjrhf.ca/memorial-donations) or www.brenansfh.com.