Obituary of Barbara Joan Rodgers

Barbara Joan Rodgers (nee Jones)

October 15, 1927 – July 17, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Barbara Joan Rodgers (nee Jones).  Predeceased by her husband of sixty-seven years, Arthur Garvin Rodgers, her eldest son, David Delmage, and her grandson Matthew.  She is survived by her children John (Dianne), Kelly and Jo-Anne Bailey (Jim).  She leaves four granddaughters and five great grandchildren.

Barbara was the glue that held her family together.  From having her father live with our family so Grandpa was always a presence, to supporting Art’s business ambitions, going along with sailing adventures so the family could spend time together when we were young, to gamely trying to learn downhill skiing when we joined Devil’s Glen, she was always there supporting and encouraging us.  She did eventually admit defeat with the downhill skiing and switched to cross country, which she loved.

She had an open-door policy that often was implemented with meals.  Her attitude was ‘there is always room for one more’ and her cooking was so good the table was always filled.  She could and did throw fabulous dinner parties, whether for dozens on Corley Drive or jus a dozen at Devli’s Glen.  Whether comfy chalet style or elegant and formal, Barbara knew how to do it right and she taught those skills to her children.

Barbara never went out the door without being elegantly attired and fully put together.  Whether walking her dog or running to the grocery store she always made the effort to look put together and she was always stylish.  Before she gave up driving, she could be seen driving around town in her red convertible Smart Car and having a grand time.

Having made her decision Barbara did not want visits from grandchildren.  She wanted them to remember her as she was, not as she was in the last month.  Each of her granddaughters wrote her a note and it is these notes that best represent what Mom and GG mean to us.

I want to thank you for the important role you play in my life. You have always been an inspiration to me and such a positive light in my life. You are so kind and loving, and handle everything with such grace, and you have always had the best taste in fashion.

You will always be with me and I will always be with you. Words can’t express how much I love you grandma. Thank you for everything and for being the most amazing grandma and great grandma. I hope to be the kind of grandma you are one day. I’m going to miss you so much but I know you will be at peace with grandpa.

I think about all I have learned from you and all the wonderful memories you created for me growing up, and to this day. I share my memories of you with my children, telling them stories and experiences I feel blessed to have had with you. They especially liked it when I shared that you used to let us have ice cream for breakfast at Camp Corley. I have adopted that one!

It is the things you taught me and instilled in me that I am now able to pass along to my children. Manners, etiquette, poise. I truly don’t think I would be the mother I am today without you.

I have so many fond memories of family dinners at your home and ours. Christmas brunch was always a highlight of my year; your home was always so beautiful and inviting. As kids we loved playing on the bookcase and borrowing books from grandpa’s special library. Watching golf and swimming in your swimming pool. We could always count on you to be at our dance recitals or picking us up from daycare when mom needed help.

I have always been very proud to call you my grandma, the most fashionable and fit grandma. Getting to stay with you and grandpa on the weekends always felt like staying at a fancy hotel which my sister and I always looked forward to.

Thank you for teaching us how to be elegant ladies. For teaching us that being a first-class lady is not about having money, but about how you carry yourself and treat others. For loving us without coddling us, which gave us strength and resilience.

For leading our family for many decades and four generations through happiness and hard times, love and celebrations. The impact you’ve had on us will be passed down for generations.  You are loved so much more than we can put into words and we are so grateful for you.

Special thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at University Hospital and the MAID Coordinator and the assistance from Medical Priorities.  Memorial donations can be made to the London Food Bank   or Charity of your choice. The family has celebrated Barbara’s life with a private family send off.