Barbara Sheila Philpott, née Townley (1937-2020)

Beloved wife and dear mother, special needs teacher, zoo educationalist and foster carer.

Born in Swansea in 1937, Barbara was brought up in the close family tradition with many of her extended family living in the same street. Her happy childhood informed the rest of her life, which was characterised by a strong sense of pride in the family and a caring outlook for the community as a whole.

A girl from the Welsh Valleys, she gained a place to read Modern Languages at Bristol University.

Her husband Robert ‘Bob’ Philpott, survives her as do her five children: Francesca, Anna, Daniel, Edward and Benjamin, her loyal dog Pip and beloved tortoise Hamble.

Barbara had many loves: for years, she taught children and young adults with special needs, while bringing up her five children. Her love of animals knew no bounds. She was a proud member of wildlife charities and had numerous pets in the family’s Gloucestershire menagerie. In her wild garden at Wellstone, she nurtured a natural habitat where animals, birds and insects found safe haven.  In this Cotswold wilderness she found happiness. 

Having taught at Longfords School, she then got her dream job as Educational Officer at Marwell Zoological Park – a job which offered children insight into the importance of the natural world by showing them exotic species.

Barbara never retired and in later years, turned her energies to Foster Care where she looked after children ranging in age from new-born to thirteen years. She was fiercely confidential about the children in her care and carried on this line of work until, following her husband’s accident, she took to looking exclusively after Bob.

Although she never thrust it on anyone, Barbara was a devout Christian.  As part of the local community, she regularly attended Minchinhampton Parish Church and was a committed member of the Mothers’ Union, delivering the parish magazines, polishing the brasses at the church and regularly helping out with the Wednesday ‘cuppa’ afternoons. For many years she was also a member of Minchinhampton Dramatic Society.

She had a great sense of humour and most importantly, knew how to laugh at herself. 

Kindness and caring were her forte and she was a much loved mother and member of the community - and it is her care for the vulnerable both in society and the natural world which will always be remembered.

Thank you and rest in peace. We love you. You will be sorely, sorely missed.