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BARBARA ROSEMARIE NIELSEN
Born: Feb 22, 1931
Date of Passing: Apr 26, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryBARBARA ROSEMARIE NIELSEN
With sadness we announce the passing of Barbara, caring mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Surrounded by family, she passed peacefully on Sunday April 26, 2026, at the Belvedere Care Centre, in Coquitlam, British Columbia.
Barbara was born in Sondershausen, Thuringia, Germany in 1931. One of four children of Hildegard Johanna (née Schiller) and Otto Ludwig Willy Seyffert, she grew up in wartime Germany. She was only a young girl when she left Sondershausen to escape future communist rule. She completed training in hotel management with a focus on culinary arts in Frankfurt, where she won a Gold Medal as chef. She earned a degree in Economics at Kiel University, subsequently working at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Barbara fell in love with, and married Jens Juergen Nielsen on July 16, 1958. Soon after, they emigrated to Canada and had four children – Birgit, Svend, Ralf and Dirk – in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She spent decades volunteering for the Consumer Association of Canada and championing for the rights of the ordinary consumer. Barbara and Jens spent over three decades of summer holidays on their boat, the Fylgja (built in Riverton), exploring Lake Winnipeg.
Barbara leaves her sister Ute; children Birgit, Svend (Terryl), Ralf (Pauline), and Dirk (Laurelyn); grandchildren Alex, Maren, and Maxwell; nephews Christian and Martin and nieces-in-law Mareen and Ursula. Barbara was predeceased by her husband Jens, her brothers Peter and Reinhard, and parents Hilde and Willy.
Special thanks to the care team and friends at the Belvedere Care Centre who provided Barbara with loving compassion and friendship over her last three years. As per Barbara's wishes, cremation has taken place. Celebrations of life are planned at the Belvedere Care Centre in Coquitlam BC in June 2026, and in Winnipeg in summer 2027. Donations are welcome in Barbara's name to Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium, Canadian Cancer Society, or the MS Canada.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 23, 2026
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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My sincere condolences to Barbara's family and loved ones. We were volunteers together in the Consumers Association of Canada- Manitoba. Barb's thoughtful comments and keen interest in food and nutrition issues was welcomed during our time together on the CAC-MB Food committee. I also appreciated her interest in expanding her knowledge about modern agriculture and seeing her at various agriculture-related events around Manitoba. - Posted by: Lee Anne Murphy (Colleague) on: May 24, 2026
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Your family moved next door to ours when I was 10. My first babysitting job was in your home when I was only 11 and you four kids were asleep. I remember that the youngest was 3 months old because Barbara told me that I would not have to do anything because you would all sleep through the night. The baby did not. I was worried that he would wake up the rest of the children so after a while I went to check on him because he just continued to cry. I touched his back but he didn’t calm so I so very carefully and gently picked him up and rubbed his back. He calmed right down and I carefully laid him gently back down the way I found him. He stayed asleep for the rest of my time there. Your parents didn’t come home until very late, 1:30 or 2 am. I went to bed at 9 pm at home and I found it very difficult to stay awake even though I had brought my book with me. I begged my parents not to accept babysitting jobs for me after that. Not because I didn’t like kids, I loved kids. I just couldn’t stay up so late. My parents had a baby that same year and I was Sue’s constant caregiver but if she was asleep I could go to bed when I wanted to which was 9 pm. I’m back to going to bed that early once more now that I’m over 70. I really thought highly of both of your parents. They were always gentle and kind to me. Your mom never changed in looks or kindness since I met her way back then. She looked exactly the same when she came to my father’s funeral. She was a true gem. You had an awesome mom! - Posted by: Lynn (McKenzie) Watling (Neighbour) on: May 23, 2026