It is with a heavy and grieving heart that we share the sorrowful news that Barb Wilson is no longer with us at the sanctuary. Her passing has shaken our hearts and left an immeasurable void—not only in the lives of those who knew and loved her, but within the very soul of our sanctuary community.

Barb was more than just a member of the team—she was family. A quiet yet powerful force of compassion, Barb brought unwavering love, commitment, and grace to every being she encountered—human and animal alike. Her connection with the sanctuary’s mission was deep and heartfelt, and it radiated in the way she moved through the world: with gentleness, empathy, and an ever-present sense of purpose.

Over the years, Barb became a trusted friend, a mentor, and a source of light and steadiness during difficult times. Whether she was comforting a rescued animal, guiding new volunteers, or simply listening with an open heart, Barb’s presence was healing. She had a unique way of making people feel seen, heard, and understood—a rare gift that she gave freely and without expectation.

Her legacy is written in the lives she touched. The sanctuary’s gardens she helped tend, the animals she held in their final moments, the smiles she brought to those struggling, the wisdom she passed along over cups of tea and quiet conversations—all of these are lasting imprints of a life lived in love and service.

Barb believed in the sanctuary not just as a place of refuge, but as a space of transformation—where the broken could be made whole again, where peace could be found, and where every living being deserved kindness. She embodied that belief every single day. The sanctuary, in many ways, was a reflection of her spirit: nurturing, patient, and filled with hope.

Her absence is profoundly felt in every corner of this place she helped shape. The animals miss her familiar voice, the staff feel the silence where her laughter once rang, and the community mourns the loss of someone who brought so much goodness into the world without ever asking for recognition in return.

To Barb’s family and loved ones, we extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. Know that she was cherished here beyond words—that she made this sanctuary a better, kinder place, and that her spirit will live on in every life that finds peace here.

Barb, thank you.
Thank you for your selfless heart, your boundless compassion, your strength, and your quiet leadership.
Thank you for believing in the sanctuary and giving so much of yourself to its mission.
May you rest now in gentle, eternal peace, surrounded by the love you gave so freely.

You will forever remain a part of this place, and of all of us.
Rest in peace, dear Barb. You are so deeply missed.