gifts given in her name to three worthy causes.

In a short presentation at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital husband David A.

Barber yesterday presented cheques totalling $540,000 dollars to the SPCA, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital board, and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity Church.

Because of her life-long love for animals -- especially dogs -- Mrs. Barber bequeathed in her will $15,000 for the SPCA. President of the Society Mrs.

Joanne MacPhee said the money is much needed and will go a long way to providing care and feeding.

The Living Landmark appeal of the Most Holy Trinity Church also got a shot in the arm through a cheque worth $25,000 which will top-up the restoration fund, now sitting at just over $3 million. Canon James Francis and Betty Brown were on hand to express their appreciation for the gift.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will honour Mrs. Barber's generosity by expanding and designating the hospital's cardiac rehabilitation unit in her name.

Mrs. Sheila Manderson accepted a cheque for $500,000 on behalf of the Hospital Board, saying the rehabilitation facility at present is very cramped. There are plans to acquire new equipment and facilities with the money, she said.

The gift was Mrs. Barber's way of thanking the hospital for the care they've given her nephew, Walter Barber Jr., who suffered a stroke eight years ago and has been hospitalised there since.

It was back in 1932 when the Barbers, Mary from Glasgow Scotland, and David from Wales, met on Front Street in Hamilton. She had come to the Island for a vacation and he for adventure.

"I met her parking her bike and in her basket she had a little dog she called Whiskey,'' Mr. Barber recalled.

Dogs would become constant companions for the couple, who married in 1937.

"She was always an animal lover, we always had a dog,'' said Mr. Barber.

Mrs. Barber passed away early this summer following a battle with a thyroid illness complicated by a compression fracture in her back, suffered in a fall.

The couple would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on Sunday, October 13.

SPREADING HOPE -- (from left) Joanne MacPhee of the SPCA, Betty Brown of Holy Trinity Church, David A. Barber, Mrs. Sheila Manderson of KEMH, and Canon James Francis were yesterday on hand for the cheque presentation.

HOSPITAL HOS ANIMALS ALS CHURCH CHU