Passed away at RVH in Barrie on April 9, 2021, in her 93rd year. Born in Barrie at RVH in 1928, Helen was raised on two farms on the
Penetanguishene Road outside Barrie. By nature, she was intelligent, determined, and independent. She received her elementary education at a one-room country school, before moving on to high school at Barrie Collegiate Institute. She next trained at the Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton ON, to become a Registered Nurse. She then worked as a hospital nurse in western Canada, before returning to Barrie and working at RVH. She married Jack Barker, an RCAF airman, and they lived and raised a family at various places in Germany, Newfoundland and Ontario. After Jack’s retirement from the air force, they re-settled in Barrie and Helen worked as an RN at various hospitals in Toronto. Following her retirement, she served well into her 80s as a volunteer at RVH.
Helen was predeceased by her husband Jack; siblings Norval (“Bud”), Douglas and Barbara Jane; and sons David and Douglas (Ann). She is survived by older brother Leonard and younger sister Dorothy; sons Gregory (Trisha) of Springwater ON and Robert of Carrboro NC; grandchildren Amanda (Brandon), Scott (Love), Casey, Connor, Colby, Torrey, Tyson, Beau and Brooke; and great-grandsons Dougie and Palmer. She was a wonderful person who had a good life. She is greatly missed, but lovingly remembered.
Cremation entrusted to Marshall W. Driver Cremation & Burial Service