Pauline M. Barker

Pauline May Barker passed away Friday, Februay 15, 2008 following a long illness. She was born in Liverpool, England, December 11, 1932 to Enoch Arthur Speight and Edith May Ashley. She began her nurse's training there, when she met and married Leonida Dunbaugh Jr., September 18, 1950. To this union were born Gary Lee Dunbaugh and Sharon Denise Dunbaugh Allen, and David Wayne Dunbaugh (deceased).

Pauline's nursing career spanned more than 45 years, performed in various nursing homes and hospital settings.  When Mr. Dunbaugh died, she decided to seek her degree in nursing.  Although she had completed her pre-collegiate schooling in England with honors, and had accumulated some nurse's training while still in England, it wasn't recognized in America. At the age of 47 she returned to school to complete her GED, and graduated with the last class of Wesley School of Nursing in Wichita, May of 1982. She was an excellent, patient advocate and recieved a number of awards for her contributions to Wesley during her tenure.

She later married David "Buzz" G. Barker, who preceded her in death, and she continued to live in Newton where they had made their home.

Until her illness, Pauline was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, American Legion and the First Methodist Church.

She is survived by her son, Gary L.; daughter, Sharon D. Allen; grandchildren, Joshua L. White, Alissa R. Allen, and Claude Michael Allen, and beloved great-granddaughters, Alayna Z. Blades and Amelie R. White.

Other survivors include brothers Kenneth A. and David W. Speight; sisters, Sheila D. Standish and Barbara R. Potter and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom reside in England.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to either St. Judes Children's Hospital or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.

Services were held Monday, February 18, 2008 at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, Kansas.