Barbara Ruth Villeneuve

Growing up, Barbara’s family moved frequently as her father was transferred with the CPR between Toronto, Havelock, Smith Falls and Montreal. Barbara graduated high school in Smith Falls and moved with her family to North Bay, where she trained as a bookkeeper and met her husband, Delmer Villeneuve. Barbara and Delmer were married on September 27th, 1951, and had two children, Wendy and Randy. After the passing of her mother, Marjorie, Barbara and her family moved to Kamloops in 1962.

Barbara’s favourite place was Belmont Lake, near Peterborough, where she had spent time since she was a little girl. After moving out west, Barbara and her family would visit her father’s cottage at Belmont Lake. Blue and white with storm windows, the little two-bedroom cottage on the island would sleep the extended family on summer vacations. Barbara enjoyed visiting her family back east and continued spending her summers there well into her 80s.

A self-sufficient and hardworking woman, Barbara worked at North Kamloops Electric for over 30 years. She was an active member of the Kamloops United Church and loved singing the hymns at Sunday service. Following the passing of her husband, Delmer, in 1996, Barbara relied on the support of her church community and friends. She started volunteering at the Church Thrift Store and at the Kamloops Blazers games and remained active into her 90s.

A devoted daughter, Barbara cared for her father Jack until his passing at the age of 97. A generous friend, Barbara would often drive her friends to and from church, to the hockey games and out for their ladies' lunches. Most of all, Barbara was a very proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and loved sharing stories of their latest adventures.

Barbara is survived by her two children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.