Barbara Elizabeth Brown (nee Button)

To view the funeral service for Barbara Elizabeth Brown, please use the following link

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Passed away peacefully. Predeceased by her loving husband of over 50 years, Charles Brown; parents, Hector and Beatrice Button; and brother, Reg Button. Leaving with wonderful memories are: sons: Travor (Andrea Barron) and Robin (Michelle Hanrahan-Brown); grandchildren: Joshua, Davin, Alexandrea, Maddison, Keely and Cameron; brother: Eric (Judy) Button; sisters-in-law: Rita Button and Pearl Allen; nephews, nieces, as well as a large circle of family and friends.

As she would often remind her boys, she was a proud bay-girl, the daughter of a fisherman and his wife. Barbara grew up with her two brothers in Sibley’s Cove, Trinity Bay. The middle child, and only girl, she was the first woman of her family to complete high school and the first to go to nursing school. Her time at the General Hospital School of Nursing shaped much of her life. There she met future husband Charles, or as she called him Charl, who worked at the General Hospital and formed life-long friendships with her classmates, whom she affectionally referred to as “The General Girls”. For the rest of her life, the elements of nursing and family would remain core to who she was.

Leaving St. John’s with her RN, and a post basic certificate in psychiatry, Barbara moved with Charl to Wabush. There she worked as a nurse in Wabush clinic, and first son Travor, was born. She fondly remembered her nursing days in Wabush, reflecting that in those early days of the mines, she could be dealing with almost anything – including x-raying dogs as there was no vet in town! Over the next few years, the couple moved from Wabush to St. Johns to Toronto (where they welcomed second son, Robin), as Charl focused on his accounting education and Barbara took on different nursing roles in mental health.

The couple eventually moved back to St. John’s in the mid-1970s. They bought a house on Vancouver St., where Barbara lived until she went into long term care. During their years on Vancouver St., they formed many close friendships that lasted decades. Those years were characterized by many trips to swimming pools, hockey rinks, and kids’ events. As the boys grew older, Barbara decided to return to school in her 40s, completing a post basic certificate in gerontology. Just prior to doing so, she had spent many years working as a RN at St. Patrick’s Nursing Home. Given her background in psychiatry and gerontology, she spent the last part of her career working at the Waterford Hospital, on a unit dedicated to those experiencing advanced dementia.

Barbara’s early retirement was busy. She was actively involved in line dancing, quilting, gardening, and most importantly her grandchildren. She formed a close bond with each grandchild and loved each dearly. Those early retirement years also involved extensive traveling. She and Charl fulfilled lifelong dreams of driving across Canada the year they retired, exploring Europe, seeing Hawaii, and spending part of NL winters down south. Though, if the truth be told, Barbara was never a lover of Florida. Each year she would seem to find some reason for the winter trip to be cut shorter. Her boys believe that the real reason was that she found it tough to be away from the grandchildren for weeks at a time.

About 10 years ago, Barbara started to experience many of the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s. She lived at home with Charl until she broke her hip and needed to be hospitalized. At that point, her care needs became too great for Charl, and she became a resident of Pleasant View Towers. Charl continued to visit her daily until his passing. When she first arrived in long term care, and with the progression of dementia, Barbara often believed that she was once again working as a RN. She would regularly ask staff if they needed help with work tasks, make comments about the need to check patients or give meds as well as handwrite notes saying that she was charting. It was clear to all around her that her love of nursing and her dedication to her patients and colleagues had never left. As her dementia advanced, her abilities and interactions with family and staff declined. Though, even in her last days, she had a smile on her face trying to connect with those around her.

As we celebrate Barbara’s life, we thank the staff of Pleasant View Towers, especially those working on 2 South West. We are so grateful for the care and compassion shown to both Barbara and Charl over the years.

The family will receive visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, from 10:00AM – 1:00PM on Wednesday, 16 February. A funeral service will follow on Wednesday, 16 February at 2:00PM at the Carnell Memorial Chapel, 329 Freshwater Road.

Barbara was an avid gardener, with a particular love of flowers. Flowers will graciously be accepted. As much of her nursing career focused on mental health, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Donations may also be name to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or any charity of one’s choice.