In Loving Memory of Barbara Lash

​Here are some memories and stories from some of our Parishioners who had all different kinds of connections with Barb over the years.

Barb joined us from St Aidans  in the mid 2000's  .....she had a enormous interest in and knowledge of Anglican history, tradition and liturgy, and served for some years on a Diocesan committee which administered such things... no idea of its title. 
She was on the preaching roster in Simon Winn's time, which she enjoyed and considered a privilege ....
She was an avid patchwork quilt maker and a number of parishioners received beautifully made quilts.  
She enjoyed her work as a policy analyst/writer with Govt departments,  retired and a couple of years later in 2015 relocated to Nelson to be nearer family.

- Melva Woods


I was very sad to hear about Barb's death. I couldn't believe it, as I hadn't realised she was so ill and I've been so lax about keeping in touch, though I have been following her on FB and liking her posts.
I have very cherished memories of Barb. She was a real friend to me at All Saints and I missed her terribly after she left. She had the gift of quiet wisdom, which I benefited from so many times. I so admired her scholarship and her insights, and I loved the way she saw the best in people. I will never cease to be grateful for the graceful way she ran my Dad's funeral in January 2011. This was a non-Christian service, so it was an amazingly generous thing for her to do for us. My family is a real mix of faiths and non-faiths. She had such a gentle, respectful touch that all my grieving family were really warmed and comforted by her words. It was a profound pleasure for me to find that we were distant cousins. We discovered that when my Dad, in his last trip away before he died, attended the Lash family reunion in Golden Bay with my brother and sister. Barb again was so generous to my family. I can't believe she's passed and I feel so guilty about not visiting the last couple of times we were down in Nelson. But, I have been reflecting on how lucky I was to know her and how grateful I am that she moved to Nelson when she did. She was able to be close to her dearest family. She also really loved her Richmond church community. I feel happy knowing that she is safely in the bosom of Our Lord. He will be treasuring her. But, selfishly, I miss her. 
- Kathy Drysdale

For many years Barb Lash and I ran a life group at my house. We all benefited greatly from Barb's faith and theological scholarship. Barb was a Christian, a quilter, a chaplain, a poet, a listener and a deep thinker. She would put a great deal of thought and study into the many sermons she gave to the nine o'clock congregation. 
Ever a stout supporter of the nine o'clock community, although her health was rarely robust, Barb could always be relied upon to turn up to prepare for events such as the midnight mass that All Saints organized every year.
Barb took early retirement from the Department of Statistics and moved to Nelson to be closer to her family. It was a good move for her.
Barb's stalwart, Christian contribution would have been missed whenever she had to move on from a church community. We certainly felt her absence at All Saints.
- Moira-Clare Donovan


Barb was always a very positive person, an encourager. She loved her family and her crafts too, lovely seeing her enjoying them both in her retirement.

- Fiona Bayliss


​Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their kind words and memories of Barb Lash. The outpouring of support and personal anecdotes has been truly heartwarming and a testament to the impact she had on all of our lives.