In memoriam: Barbara Courtney Young

We are all saddened by the loss of Barbara Courtney Young who was one of the first graduates from the University of Victoria School of Nursing BSN program. Upon graduation from the Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing she was determined to establish a nursing degree program at UVic. She spearheaded a successful coalition which resulted in the founding of the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria.

Barbara was employed as a program coordinator by the Division of Continuing Studies at UVic beginning in 1985. She worked on the delivery of distance education programs and professional development for health professionals.

After her marriage to Michael Young in 1993, she retired from the university and moved to White Rock.

Her father’s (George Wallace Courtney) family were early settlers in Victoria, and Courtney Street was named after the family. Like her father, Barbara was a very active Rotarian and, in 1989, was the first woman to become a Rotarian on Vancouver Island. She was also involved as a member of the National Parole Board of Canada.

Barbara died in White Rock on January 30, after a brief illness. She was a passionate advocate for the School of Nursing and a compassionate, caring human being with a wonderful sense of humour. Barbara left a strong legacy for the School of Nursing and we will miss her very much.

Submitted by Dr. Anita Molzahn, School of Nursing