Barbra Gibson’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Born and raised in Barbados, she moved to Canada over 50 years ago, making Toronto her home.
As a senior living at Willowdale Manor, Barbra choses to live life on her own terms. Reflecting on her past she says that she has “no regrets” because she stayed true to her values and lived each day the way she wanted to.
Barbra was born in the parish of St. Michael, the capital of Barbados. She is the middle child of 13 children, she says that “it didn’t always feel that way because not everyone was home at the same time.” Her father had a stable job, and though they weren’t wealthy, they had a good life. Barbra recalls, “There were so many of us, we fought, but nobody could come between us.”
Barbra had a close relationship with her brother Frank he was studying navigation. Tragically he died at sea when Barbra was just nine. Losing him was hard for Barbra "he was my protector.”
Church was always a big part of Barbra’s life. Her family was Anglican, but she was pulled toward a different faith. She became Pentecostal when she was ten despite her parent disapproval, she did what she believe was right for her.
At 16, Barbra decided to pursue a career in nursing. She trained in Barbados for three years before moving to England, where she had to start her nursing education anew but eventually completed. Working at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in London, Barbra specialized in eye care and became deeply involved in patient care, specifically in eye surgery and outpatient services.
After spending seven years in England, Barbra decided to take the leap and move to Canada, joining her siblings who had already settled in Toronto. Though she had built a fulfilling life in London, Barbra felt the pressure from family and was intrigued by the promise of a new beginning. "I never planned on leaving," she admits.
In Canada, Barbra quickly became a beloved member of a Pentecostal church community. She is known for her dedication to children through Sunday school, summer camps, and hiking trips. Her nurturing spirit thrived in shaping the youth through the word of God. Her deep connection to kids would continue to shape her life in unexpected ways.
Barbra’s path into motherhood was not something she had planned. Life had other plans for her. At 50, Barbra adopted a young boy named Adrian. She says, “It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be a mother… I used to always be around children, teaching Sunday school, running camps… but I never thought about permanently being a mother.”
How Barbra met Adrian some would call divine intervention. Barbra’s sister passed away, and while cleaning out her room, she found a phone number. Thinking nothing of it, Barbra threw it away, but curiosity got the best of her, and she dialed the number. On the other end was Adrian’s mother, and they agreed to connect, Adrian was three months old. Through a series of events, Barbra found herself taking Adrian in. She decided to keep him, despite the mental challenges his biological mother faced. When social services asked if she would adopt, Barbra had no hesitation, “How could you say no?”
When Adrian was 7 years old, the adoption process was finalized. For Barbra, it felt like a natural progression, she considered Adrian family already. Even today, Barbra refers to Adrian as her “little one,” and he continues to send her Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards. “I tell him he has a mother, and he always says he only has one mom, and that’s me,” she says proudly.
One of the central themes in Barbra’s life has been her independence. She never felt pressured to marry, despite seeing many of her friends go through relationships and divorce. "It never dawned on me that I had to get married," she explains. “I was too busy” Barbra's relationship with Oswald, whom she says she would have married, is a fond memory, but she recognizes that life sometimes takes you in different directions. She happily never married.
Barbra’s philosophy is simple "Have a mind of your own, don’t be pushed into things." Whether it’s marriage, career, faith or family, she believes in making choices that feel right for you. Even now, at 86, she jokes about her “boyfriends”. A playful reference to the many Asian men she’s befriended over the years at Willowdale. “Dating is beyond me, but I’m always open to talking to anyone.”
Today, Barbra enjoys a quieter life, balancing her time between church, crossword puzzles, and knitting and of course her son Adrian. She is a grandmother, and she jokes that she spoils her grandson.
Her advice to others? “Have a mind of your own and don’t be pushed into things” Barbra’s wisdom comes from a life filled with challenges, joys, and above all, self-determination, she adds “walks slowly but firmly.” Whether it’s living without regrets or finding balance in aging, Barbra believes the best way to live is simply to be yourself. She may have never planned to be a mother, but in embracing the unexpected, she created a family, a legacy, and a life full of love on her own terms.
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