We Remember

COUGHLIN, Dr. Barbara Elizabeth

April 1, 1944 — August 14, 2017

After a valiant battle, Kelowna’s highly respected veterinarian succumbed to ovarian cancer at the Kelowna General Hospital.

Barbara (nee Jenkins) was born in New Westminster and graduated from Delbrook Senior High School in North Vancouver, followed by the school of nursing at Vancouver General Hospital.  Moving to Toronto, Barbara was hired as an OR nurse by the Humber Memorial Hospital and the Scarborough General Hospital.

Looking for even greater challenges, Barbara returned to BC and enrolled at Simon Fraser University where she earned an honours science degree. She was accepted into the Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Saskatchewan, where she graduated in 1976.

Barbara was hired by Dr. “Paddy” Clerke in Kelowna in 1977 and soon purchased his veterinary practice and established the current location of the Kelowna Veterinary Hospital on Kent Road in 1981 which will continue to operate under the professional guidance of her protégé Dr. Ellen Nicklassen.

Barbara’s marriage to Mr. John Allan Wilson in 1982 was followed by many happy years together appreciating the Okanagan Symphony and membership in the Kelowna Yacht Club with two Catalina sailboats named “My Fair Lady” and more recently with “Why Not.”

Barbara was a key volunteer with the Kelowna Yacht Club, faithfully attending each sailing evening and event for 22 years, where she processed the sailing race data and handicaps to determine the winners and the “also rans.”  Some eleven years ago she met James Anderson at the club and, after a long courtship, they were married this past April here in Kelowna.

Barbara was predeceased by her sister Pamela Jenkins in May of this year and is survived by her brother Bob Jenkins (Mary) of West Kelowna and her husband James C. Anderson of Kelowna.

For all who knew her, Barbara has planned an “After Party” to be held in the main lounge at the Kelowna Yacht Club on Thursday, August 31st    from   4 to 8 pm.  All are welcome.  See you there.

Respected by all, and loved by many:   Dr. Barbara Elizabeth Coughlin  1944-2017.

If you wish to leave a message or share a memory for the family please scroll down this page to the area called “share your condolences”.

 

 

Service
Thursday, August 31st from 4 to 8 pm

Location
Kelowna Yacht Club

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