Who is Barbara Bolling Jones Conroy from The Water Is Wide and what is their importance?

Barbara Bolling Jones Conroy is Pat's wife whom he marries in October of 1969 during his first year of teaching on Yamacraw. Barbara had been a neighbor of Pat's in Beaufort, and he gets to know her better after her first husband is killed in Vietnam. Barbara is also a teacher and supports Pat's efforts on Yamacraw even hosting parties for the children in the Conroy home and assisting with the trips Pat organizes for his students. Although Barbara does not have a direct role in this book, her presence is very much felt as she supports her husband and participates in improving the lives of the children of Yamacraw in any way she can.