Barbara Conway, a former civil servant and dedicated volunteer, has died aged 94. She was a trade union representative at the Department of Health and Social Security and the first woman in over 750 years to serve as churchwarden at St Peter's Church in Berkhamsted.
Civil service career and union role
Returning to work in the early 1970s as a clerical officer at the then Department of Health and Social Security, Barbara rose to executive officer and served as the office's trade union representative. She worked there until her retirement in 1992.
Volunteering and community service
Barbara was a longtime governor at Victoria Church of England Infants' School in Berkhamsted and served on an independent review panel for pupil exclusions. She also chaired a committee reviewing admission refusals. She volunteered as a Brown Owl in the Girlguiding movement and as a bereavement counsellor at St Francis Hospice.
Church and personal life
At St Peter's Church, Barbara was a verger, stalwart of church functions, and organised the coffee rota for over 60 years into her 90s. Born in Derby, she was unable to attend grammar school until age 13 due to fees. She married Alan Conway, and they had two daughters, including the author. She is survived by Alan, daughters Zoe and the author, and grandchildren Ben and Ellie.
