Barbara is the mother of Shaun in the British horror/comedy Shaun of the Dead. She is portrayed by Penelope Wilton.
History[]
Barbara lost her first husband while her son Shaun was still very young. When Shaun was aged 12, Barbara married Philip, much to Shaun's dislike. While Barbara and Philip loved each other very much, Philip and Shaun had a strained relationship and Barbara would often act as peacemaker between the two of them.
When Z-Day occurs, Shaun calls Barbara to check if she is alright. Barbara is unhurt, but Philip got bitten on the hand by a zombie. Shaun and Ed steal Pete's car and drive to Barbara's to rescue her. Barbara doesn't seem to be completely aware of the situation outside and may be somewhat senile. After Ed crashes Pete's car, the group take Philip's Jaguar and rescue Liz, Dianne and David before heading for the Winchester Tavern. Along the way, Philip succumbs to his wounds and reanimates as a zombie, forcing the others to lock him in his car and abandon him.
Shaun, Barbara and the others arrive at the Winchester, pretending to be zombies in order to sneak past the horde. After David smashes open a window, Shaun lures the horde away while the others get inside.
Death[]
At some point during the break-in to the Winchester, Barbara was bitten on the arm by a zombie. She hides the wound until the zombies start building up outside again. Liz takes Barbara to a booth in the corner and Barbara gives Liz her necklace. It is then that Liz notices the bite wound.
Shaun and the others gather around Barbara after hearing she's been bitten. Soon Barbara goes into convulsions and she dies. David urges Shaun to put her down before she reanimates but Shaun cannot bring himself to do it and the group start arguing amongst themselves. As the survivors squabble, Barbara reanimates. It is only then that Shaun can bring himself to put his mother down and shoots her in the head with the Winchester rifle.