Many of us will remember Barbara Stewart, who passed away this October, for her blonde hair and ready laugh.  Barbara was small in stature, but she had a huge impact on the autism community at the local, provincial and even national level.

Barbara became involved in the Edmonton Autism Society, as it was called then, in the early 1980’s, a few years after her oldest son Bryce was diagnosed with autism.  Over the next 20 years, Barbara dedicated her volunteer time to the Autism Society. She was on the board for about 15 years in many roles, including President. Barbara was instrumental in reviving and re-establishing the Autism Society of Alberta in the early 1990’s. She knew how critical it is to have a provincial voice for children and adults with autism.

Barbara gained a reputation for being informed: she was always clear on key points, and understood the critical issues affecting people with autism as they related to the educational, social and political situation at the time. Because of her knowledge base and her wonderful advocacy skills, she was often invited or nominated to sit on focus groups, task forces, and working groups with various levels of government to represent the Autism Society and parents and families of individuals with autism.

She worked with determination and incredible persistence to improve education and services for children and adults with autism. She also worked on a number of task forces, including one that focused on the needs of adults with autism, that eventually led to the “Protection of Persons in Care” Act.

Barbara had a certain style of advocacy that she used to the advantage of the autism community - a combination of a sharp, focused intelligence, a lovely warmth, and a gracious personality. Barbara’s husband, Dr. Neil Roberts, describes her style of advocacy as “firm, persistent, gentle, persuasive”— and I would personally add “effective” to that list. When I think of Barbara, I think not only of what she did, but how she did it - with style, flair and a generosity of spirit that inspired others to get involved.  When I think of Barbara, I think of one thing she said on many different occasions: “We need to do something about this issue, because if we don’t advocate for our children, who will?”

We will miss you, Barbara.

Barbara is survived by her devoted husband, Dr. Neil Roberts, and her loving sons, Bryce, Malcolm and Matthew.

-Anita Ferri