January 27, 1932 – May 10, 2024
at the age of 92 years:
Barbara passed away peacefully in the North Okanagan Hospice on May 10, 2024 at the age of 92. She was born in 1932 in Winnipeg to parents Winnifred (Pat) & Erskine (Pope) Bathie.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Arnold who passed away in 2020. Barbara and Arnold moved several times during Arnold’s career with Imperial Oil, from Calgary to Edmonton to Norman Wells (NWT), back to Edmonton then finally Fort McMurray with Syncrude. They retired to Vernon in 1985. Barbara was always very active and volunteered regularly in support of the communities where they lived. In their retirement, Barbara and Arnold enjoyed many years of travelling and cycling, and in the winter months they enjoyed cross country skiing near their home in Vernon. She was also an avid tennis player, and won many championships until an old knee injury, which happened in a ski accident that led to her and Arnold’s courtship, forced her retirement.
Barbara will be missed by her three children Debbie Lord (Garth), Douglas Fry (Marie Christine) and Judy Nordman (Eric). She is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the North Okanagan Hospice Society (Vernon) staff and volunteers for their amazing care during her time in the hospice.
As per Barbara’s request, there will be no service. Those who desire may make a donation in memory of Barbara to the North Okanagan Hospice Society (nohs.ca)
I was sorry to hear that your mother Barbara passed. I was trying to get in touch with her. I live at Turtle Mountain and we became friends just mostly on the phone and chats at the mailbox. I invited her for dinner but then we all got locked down and so had to cancel. We tried a few times to have lunch but something was always in the way. She was so kind to me when my trials with my husband’s illness happened. She called several times and we talked a lot. I was trying to get in touch with her and I went by the house and I knew something was wrong as I did not see any flowers outside. Take care and my sincere prayers and thoughts are with you.
I met Barbara at the Village Green Tennis Club in around 1986 and from then on Michael and I formed a friendship with Arnold and Barbara. For many years I had the pleasure of cutting their hair and having lively conversations. Once we moved onto Silver Star Road area we also had many enjoyable dinners together and got to know the rest of the family. When Barbara and Arnold moved to Canadian Lakeview , Michael had many enjoyable days of working with Arnold in their yard.
We will always treasure those memories and times spent together. They were a special couple.