‘There will never be another Barb:’ Regina activist and volunteer passes away

Longtime Regina activist and volunteer Barb Dedi passed away Monday after a battle with cancer.

Dedi dedicated her life to championing social justice and labour issues.

She was the chairperson of Spring Free from Racism and the president of the Saskatchewan Association of Human Rights. She also served on the board of the Regina Multicultural Council.

As well, she was an active volunteer with the federal and provincial NDPs.

“There’s so many things that we will remember Barb for,” said Sandra Morin, a former MLA for Regina Walsh Acres who was a friend of Dedi’s.

“But her gentle kindness of spirit and generosity, I’d say that would be the most significant thing I’ll remember Barb for.”

Morin said Dedi’s passing will represent a significant loss for the numerous organizations she worked with.

“It wasn’t just that she fulfilled the role of leadership, it was the fact that this woman rolled up her sleeves, would cook for hundreds of people if she was organizing fundraisers and would bring people together who otherwise may not have joined together in mutual effort to do things,” Morin said.

Dedi also was incredibly giving in her personal life.

From women dealing with postpartum depression to foreign students in need of shelter, Dedi was always willing to lend a helping hand, according to Morin.

Dedi took many students into her home over the years and remained close with them. Morin said some of the students considered Dedi to be like a second mother to them.

“Some of them made long trips to come and visit Barb while she was in her final stages of cancer,” Morin said. “There is a very, very strong relationship with those students.”

Morin said Dedi had a unique ability to bring people together. Morin spoke to how she would even reach across party lines in order to effect change.

“That to me is a remarkable quality of this woman, to be able to understand the power of bringing people together to make change,” she said.

In the fall, Dedi received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, which Morin said was fitting.

“For Barb to be awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal was a significant recognition of all of her efforts for Regina and Saskatchewan,” Morin said. “For her to be recognized for that dedication was very appropriate.”

Dedi was affectionately known as “The Purple Lady” due to her love for the colour.

“It was definitely symbolic of who Barb was. Everyone knew that was a colour that meant a lot to her and it’s something that she exhibited in every aspect of her life,” Morin said.

“Her friends all knew that the way to honour Barb was to wear purple when there were special events that one attended that Barb helped organize.”

Morin said Dedi’s values and commitment to equity were clear to anyone that met her and she had a profound impact on the lives of many.

“She was an incredibly, giving, kind, generous woman,” Morin said. “I know there are others who are very kind and giving and generous, but she was very, very unique — and there will never be another Barb.”