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BATES Barbara

1943 - 2007


On December 19, 2007, Barbara passed away peacefully in her sleep. She had been battling brain cancer since June and succumbed after a valiant but short battle. Born in England, Barb moved to Canada as a child, eventually settling in the Comox Valley where she attended school and graduated from Courtenay High School in 1961. She was married in 1963 and started her family with the love of her life, Fred. Fred’s career moved the family to Nimpkish, Woss Lake, Kamloops, Victoria, and then back to the Comox Valley, Barb happily moved wherever necessary, as long as her family was with her and she had a place to have a flower garden. Her most prized possessions were her family and she sacrificed anything and everything for them. She valued notes, cards, letters, drawings, paintings and crafts made by her loved ones above any worldly possessions, and she kept them ALL. Barb’s love and caring nature was extended to anybody she thought needed it, family or not. Barb strived to ensure no child, hers or not, went without, be it food, clothing, special school supplies, a hug, or an ear to listen, and always gave motherly love and advice. Calm, quiet and passive are attributes most would use to describe Barb, until she thought that any child was in need and then the mother bear came out. For all this she wanted nothing but your love in return, she was happy to be the beautiful lady in the background, but would never describe herself as anything but a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was selfless in everything she did or said and was happy in knowing that others were happy around her.

Barb is lovingly missed by her best friend, life long companion, and husband of 45 years, Fred Bates. Mum is lovingly missed by Shelley (Scott), Angie (Mark), Stuart (Jody), Tracy (Mike). Grandma/Mama/Ninny is lovingly missed by Sarah, Michael, Katherine, Christopher, Ryan, Jessica, Kevin, Justin, Jackie, Clayton, Ricky, Miranda, Reggie, and Curtis. Great-grandma will be missed by five great-grandchildren. Aunty Barb will be missed by many. Big sisters Molly, Eileen and Sheila and their families will miss their baby sister “Barbara Jane”. Barb was predeceased by her father and mother, John and Alice Kill. Mrs. Barbara Bates will be missed by all those who had the honour of meeting her.

A Celebration of Barb’s life will be held at the Cumberland Cultural Centre, on Dunsmuir Ave. across from the Village office and firehall, on Saturday, December 29, 2007 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, with afternoon tea and social gathering to follow until 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in the name of Barb Bates to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation/Palliative Care Facility, 2137 Comox Ave., Comox, B.C. V9M 1P2.



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