Barbara Jane (“BJ”) Auston
October 13, 1937 – December 18, 2020
"Do not go gentle into that good night." Dylan Thomas
BJ Auston (nee Newell), 83, passed away peacefully December 18th in West Vancouver. BJ was raised in Montreal, and spent magical childhood summers on Cayuga Lake in Ithaca, New York. She attended King’s Hall in Compton, Quebec and completed her nursing training at Montreal General Hospital.
Raised an only child by a single mother and two grandparents, BJ was determined to have a large and busy life. She married her great love, John Auston, in 1959 and their life together was shaped by adventure.
After a few years in Kenora, Ontario, their first big leap was to Sydney, Australia, which proved to be an exciting and happy time. In 1968, they returned to Toronto and began what BJ often referred to as the happiest chapter of her life, raising four lively children. She was a loving, protective and hands-on mother with a reputation for driving too fast, picking up as many rain-soaked neighbourhood kids as she could fit into her yellow Pinto station wagon. In hearing of her death, one of those old friends remarked, "The welcome and open feeling in their home is a fond memory for me. She was an iconic 70s Mom."
Next the family moved to Denver, Colorado – where, with four rebellious teenagers, BJ instituted mandatory reconnaissance weekends in the mountains. It was here she professed to find her sense of spirituality in nature. This was followed by an opportunity for BJ and John to return to Australia, this time to Melbourne. It was a rich time, filled with travel and adventure. In 1991, they moved back to Toronto, and ultimately settled in West Vancouver in 1993.
However peripatetic her nature, BJ's favourite place was Redwood, a rambling old cottage on the shores of Lake Simcoe. It was her mainstay, a family gathering place and a source of deep joy for almost 50 years.
BJ was a person who moved through the world with confidence and curiosity, yet her soul was most at ease in nature and simplicity. We will remember her when we are trudging through the woods, cross country skiing, or simply staring up at the stars.
She is survived by her four children, Victoria Auston (Jim Sinclair), Katy Southerland (Ned Southerland), John Auston, and Genevieve Cole (Steve Cole). And six magnificent grandchildren: Malcolm and Ellen Southerland; Julian Auston-Sinclair; Lucy, Josephine, and Phoebe Cole - her arrows into the future.
We are forever indebted to the incredible staff at Hollyburn House, West Vancouver for their compassionate and tireless care of our mom in her final years.
Cremation has taken place and it was her wish that there be no service of any kind.