Karin Jenkner (Friend)
Entered
October 19, 2017
from Toronto
Barbara was a highly distinctive character, a femme formidable to many colleagues and acquaintances but consistently generous and kind to those who got to know her better. I am much the better person and court reporter for having known Barb and feel privileged to have had her friendship.
Barbara switched from postgrad studies to machine shorthand reporting, a profession in which there is no formal degree, but she achieved more in reporting than such a degree would have required. An early adopter of next-generation technology in her field, she was among the first reporters in Ontario to write in realtime and transcribe on computer. She tirelessly promoted the technology's many benefits to judges, lawyers and colleagues, and such was the authority and confidence Barbara projected that, even if they did not all agree, everyone listened.
All apprentice reporters who were at court with Barbara will remember her speed-building classes, patient mentoring, and unrelenting efforts to change that dreaded certificate test into a true test of skill rather than nerves, tiring us out with repeated dictations until finally our nerves let go and we passed. Her faith in our ability was usually stronger than our own. Without her encouragement I believe I would not have stuck out those difficult first couple of years of reporting.
Barb retired early when husband Frank became ill, and she rechannelled her energies into loving and conscientious caregiving They had moved into my neighbourhood about a year before he died and my friendship with Barb had to be carried on by phone, as she would not leave his side to go out for lunch!
After Frank's death, Barbara turned outward to her condo community to foster new connections. Strong interests and an uncanny ability to organize led to many new friendships, not just for Barb but among condo owners who met each other for the first time in the groups she set up. Her love of reading lead to the creation of the book club, an astonishing ability in Scrabble to a Scrabble club. Both groups survive today. Barb's organizational apotheosis was probably the lunch-and-theatre day trips in the summer she organized through Mary Morton Tours. These popular outings grew from three to six a year, and from just her own condo to include the condo next door. At times more than half a bus was filled by “The Barbara Praino Group.” Mary Morton would award free tickets for exceeding a certain quota. These were really meant for the hard-working organizer herself, but Barbara would never accept them personally, raffling them off to her group instead.
Once you were involved in activities organized by Barbara, she expected nothing less than complete commitment. It was assumed that any absences were due to imperfections of memory, which Barbara would not hesitate to cure with repeated calls and notes. We all learned that saying one could come meant one had better show up -- or else!
Barbara's final 18 months were marked by a brutally rapid decline in mental and physical health. She was, however, able to remain in the condo with around the clock care. I would like to call out to Barb's caregivers for the extraordinary skill and gentle kindness with which they cared for Barbara day and night. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Roseline, Grace, Analyn, Ewa, and Muna, and to scheduler Wendy and nurse Brianne at the Mavencare agency for always being there to help and reassure.
Barbara taught me life lessons, from keeping high professional standards, to the importance of give-and-take in friendship, to knowing how to open up to help when you need it. I will always remember her with deepest love and gratitude.
