Philanthropist Barbara Poole dies at 83
Well-known Edmonton philanthropist Barbara Poole has died at the age of 83.
Poole, along with her husband John, helped revive the Edmonton Community Foundation and also donated to the Alberta Ballet, Edmonton Symphony and Citadel Theatre.
The couple made an initial donation of $5 million to help kickstart the fundraising campaign that led to the construction of the new Art Gallery of Alberta in downtown Edmonton.
Barbara Poole was also a long-time supporter of the Edmonton Opera.
"I think she knew in her heart, not just in her mind, that it is the arts and the culture that makes a society what it is," said Edmonton Opera CEO Sandra Gajic.
"She was a great advocate but she was actually the one walking that talk."
Poole's husband John died in 2007 at the age of 90.
