Barbara died on 19 October aged 86, after living in Chipperfield for over 40 years.

Contact with people was vitally important to Barbara and she always maintained strong links with family members, former work colleagues, neighbours and her wide circle of friends, always ready to listen and help when needed. We shall miss our conversations with her, always spiced with her ready wit and great sense of humour. In losing Barbara, we lose a good friend.

A person with broad interests and abilities, Barbara made the most of life. A member of Chipperfield Choral Society for 40 years (serving as Chairman for a period), a helper with Chipperfield Care, enjoying opera and ballet at Covent Garden, skillful at upholstery and needlepoint (including helping to make kneelers for St. Pauls Church), having a great love of nature and the surroundings of Chipperfield, owner of a much loved succession of dogs and cats, a keen gardener not only in her own large garden but also helping at the Gardens of the Rose, continuing her yoga and swimming and driving her car until very recently.

Barbara spent her working life almost entirely in hospital social work, having trained as an almoner just after the war. After working in what was then Shrodells Hospital (now Watford General) she moved to Edgware General Hospital where she became Principal Social Worker. Her particular interest was in work with older people and Edgware was a pioneer in forward-looking care. Barbara also contributed to wider policy issues relating to older people through active involvement in the British Association of Social Workers.