Just a rose will do - Leila Bernice Ying Barrow

Leila Bernice Barrow, née Ying, also known as Mrs B, was born in Georgetown, Guyana on May 18, 1924.

She was preceded in death by her parents Benjamin and Dorcas Ying, brothers Denis Ying and Royston Ying, sisters in law Eunice Ying and Yvonne Ying and ex-husband Rev. Colin Vere Barrow.

Family

She is survived by her children Hugo Barrow (Ingrid), Mary Barrow Blackett (Maurice Blackett) and David Barrow (Tricia); grandchildren Kimberley Blackett Williams (Jabrille Williams), Jason Blackett and Neville Barrow; great grandchildren Olyvia Williams and Herbie Williams; brother Neville Ying; sister-in-law June Ying; many nieces and nephews, including Rosamund Gaskin, Mark (Colin) Ying (who she considered her son), Debbie Rahim, Allan Ying, Grantley Ying, Mike Calendar, Sean Ying, Jason Ying, Philip (Winkie) Ying, John Ying, Jillian Ying and Wendell Ying; several cousins; extended family; and dozens of friends of all ages in Guyana, Barbados, USA, Canada and Europe.

As a young woman, Leila worked as a draftswoman and librarian. She was an avid scout and was the first female scout pack leader in Guyana (then British Guiana).

She was an amazing cook, baker, seamstress and craftsperson. She taught herself to sew, knit and crochet and happily shared her talents with others. Over the years, she made dozens of socks, table covers and other items.

Made Barbados Her Home

Mrs B made Barbados her home for over 30 years (1961-1995) before migrating to the US in January 1995. In Barbados, she worked for the Christian Council of Churches (CCC), CADEC and the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, from where she retired in May 1993.

She had a zest for life and traveled extensively across the Caribbean, USA, Canada and Europe, mainly with her family.

Mrs B was a devoted, proud and supportive mother who fiercely defended and championed for her children.

She adored her grandchildren and was ecstatic to be alive to meet her first great grandchild, Olyvia. She was an extremely strong woman.

She worked hard, battled through every obstacle and sacrificed daily to ensure that her children had everything they needed to be successful.

She encouraged her children (and grandchildren) to “do their best” and always accepted the outcome of their actions without judgment.

She was quick to discipline and had a dry sense of humor, sharp tongue and a withering look that could stop you cold in your tracks.

Humble and Grounded in her Faith

She was straightforward, no nonsense, humble and grounded in her faith. Without ever saying it, she showed by example what could be achieved if you “set your mind to it”.

Mrs B was a woman of many skills. She might have been born into the old world of donkey carts, ice boxes, bicycles, telegrams, radio and later, black and white televisions, but adapted quickly and became extremely technology savvy. She proudly communicated with friends and family via Facebook, FaceTime, email or texts.

She perused the Nation newspaper online daily and enjoyed listening to her Bajan music (including classic calypso from RPB, Ras Iley and Grynner, current tunes from Crop Over and old gospel songs from Joseph Niles) and local Barbados church services on YouTube.

She loved children and welcomed every one of her children’s friends (and later her grandchildren’s friends) into her home. She entertained them, fed them and sometimes housed them when needed.

She loved her family, immediate and extended. She was the Ying family matriarch and provided leadership, guidance and love over the years to anyone who needed it.

Mrs B lived a full, rich life, up to her passing on January 31, 2024 – a few months shy of her 100^th birthday in May 2024.

She left a legacy that can never be erased and is missed dearly. May she continue to rest in peace.