11/2010 from Nancy Towle's journal of the African trip Barbi started as a nursing major at Duke but changed her major to English at Andrews Presbyterian and majored in English. Somewhere along the way she began going by Barbara instead of her childhood name Barbi (but she still answers to either!) She moved to Raleigh to work and in Jan ‘67 married George Parker, whom she had met just before graduation. Barbara worked in a kindergarten until Elizabeth was born in ’69. She became involved in La Leche League in NC and remained active for 20 years learning invaluable, marketable skills along the way. In ’74 Jonathan was born and in ’81 to William. Also in ’81 she was appointed Administrator of LLL in NC, and in ’88 she was appointed Administrator of LLL to the Mid-Atlantic States. While she was a mother at home, she was a foster mother to three adoptive infants in addition to her own three. In 1990 she was diagnosed with 2 breast cancers, a parathyroid tumor and osteoporosis; had 6 surgeries and 10 months of chemo. As a result of these experiences, Barbara became passionate about cancer research. She was active in lobbying the federal Congress for increased research and funding. She educated herself about medical and science research and in ’96 she was hired by the Duke Breast Cancer Research Program. Initially she was responsible for an interdisciplinary newsletter, but she also was invited to give input into research discussions. Barbara sat on various committees for the National Cancer Institute and became part of two clinical trial cooperative groups. These groups designed clinical trials to compare newer protocols with standard ones. Her research advocacy activities included evaluating research grants, public speaking and writing about the advocate role in the clinical research process. Barbara retired in 2006 and is enjoying traveling in their small motor home with George who also retired in 2006 from teaching Physics at NC State. After his adoptive Mom died in ’09 George was able to identify his birth parents’ families. His contact with his maternal siblings, who live in Colorado, has had a happy result, and he is currently contemplating whether to contact his paternal siblings. During their travels Barbara and George visited several AZ/UT canyon National Parks in ’04, traveled in Alaska is ’05, worked in the NC mountains in ’07, and in Yellowstone in ’06 and /10. 4/2010 Barbi's parents were Presbyterian. Missionaries. She was 3 years old when she went to India, Barbi went into boarding at Kodai in 3rd grade. She now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina where her husband, George, recently retired from teaching physics at North Carolina State University. They met her senior year at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in NC. They have 3 children: a daughter Elzabeth ('69, m. John, son Michael '04 ) MPA who supervises the NC Governor's education budget, a son Jonathan ('74), a civil engineer and certified planner with Triangle Transit, and their youngest son William ('81), a sports performance specialist who trains elite athletes. Barbi was very active in the La Leche League in NC and nationally for 20 years in 70s and 80s. In 1990 she had 2 different breast cancers and during the 90s became a cancer patient advocate. She was deeply involved in bringing the voice of the patient into the scientific and clinical research process in NC and nationally at various National Cancer Institute committees. She retired in 2006 and, with George, now enjoys extensive travel in their 'van style' RV (in which they will be traveling to our 50th reunion). |
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