Obituary of Barbara Jean Blewett

Barbara Jean Blewett (February 4, 1940 – July 19, 2018) will be lovingly missed by her two sisters, Judith (Andrew Antippas) and Mary (Victor Alderson), her nieces and nephews, Mark Antippas, Lydia Antippas, Chelsey Alderson (Jonathan Fowler) and Thomas Alderson, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her loving parents Hazel Blewett (1999), William Blewett (2000) and her brother Paul (1957).  Barbara will be remembered by her many pupils as a caring teacher who strove for each students’ success.  Her long teaching career began in a one-room school in Huron County, followed by Bosanquet Central and then several elementary schools in Sarnia over 35 years.   She spent three years teaching at Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan, (1963-66) which sparked her wanderlust and she travelled the world.  As well, she enjoyed needlepoint, embroidery, quilting, sewing, and spending her summers at Ipperwash Beach.  Over the years, she managed her diagnosis of Chiari Syndrome and then Syringomyelia with several corrective surgeries.  But six years ago, mobility became increasingly difficult and she learned to operate a power wheelchair.  For the last five years, she lived at The Country Manor in her childhood hometown of Thedford, where her interests included taking pride in her dear nieces and nephews, reading books, watching curling and figure skating on TV, and keeping in touch with her fellow retired teachers.  Barbara died at Strathroy-Middlesex Hospital of pneumonia, a complication resulting from her increasing physical limitations.  She decided to donate her body to the Schulich School of Medicine at Western University so that students could research her unusual disease.  Memorial donations can be made to Thedford United Church or a charity of choice.  Her life will be celebrated on Friday, July 27, at Thedford United Church:  Visitation from 1:00 to 2:30, with a memorial service at 2:30 conducted by the Rev. Dr. Kate Crawford, followed by a time of fellowship.  Special thank you to the kind staff and volunteers at The Country Manor.   Online condolences may be left at www.forestfuneralhome.com   Funeral arrangements entrusted to DENNING’S OF FOREST