Obituary of Barbara Edwards

Barbara Ann Edwards (Smith), 81, passed away Thursday – surrounded by family - after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Barbara was born in Fredericton and raised in Oromocto. She led a full and varied life, including many years living in South East Asia. Although at first taught at a two-room schoolhouse, she managed – despite a year in the sanatorium in Saint John with TB as a teen – to matriculate first in the province. Barbara was always physically active – she even occasionally roller-skated all the way from Oromocto to high school in Fredericton. With her husband, Stirling Edwards she embarked on a three decade adventure and spent many years in Burma, southern India, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines – many of which living on a forty-seven foot boat called, “Ganesha”. Barbara’s love for her family and for her friends was legendary. She was known and loved from Lower Gagetown to the foothills of the Himalayas. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, John and Edith Smith, her step-mother, Jane and her dear brother, Carl. She is survived by her four sons: Michael Ritchie (Brenda) of Florida, David Ritchie (Shelley) of Alberta, Carl Ritchie (Christopher) of New York and Geoffrey Ritchie of Fredericton; her sisters, Ruth McLellan of Fredericton and Elizabeth Jamieson of Ontario; her husband, Stirling Edwards; the father of her four sons, Boyd Ritchie; her dear first cousin, Roberta-Ann Henderson and eight grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 26th at 2 PM at St John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 75 Main Street, Nashwaaksis. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of a charity of your choice. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com