Barbara Joyce Farris

Barbara passed away in the early morning light of Sunday, July 7, 2024 at the Kelowna Hospice House. Her sister Judy and two best friends, Susan and Barb T., were by her side in the many hours before her passing. Barb’s difficult and brave battle with brain cancer (glioblastoma) came to an end.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Bert and Betty Farris, over thirty-three years ago. She is survived by her sister, Judy (Ken) Johnson and by her adored nephew and niece, Blake Johnson and Melanie (Graham) Odlum, and their children Penny and Oscar. Barb is also survived by her Canadian cousins, Ken, Ian and Sheilagh, and the rest of the Chapman family, and her Taylor cousins in England and Australia. Barb’s other family included her life-long friend, Sue (Bill) Van Noortwyk, their two girls, Lindsay and Kristin who were Barb’s beloved god daughters, and all the Hall family. She had many friends over the years whose interests varied with time and age, and she was loyal to them.

Barbara was born in Kelowna, and like her father and sister grew up in Okanagan Mission. She attended the Mission schools for her primary and elementary years and then rode the bus into town to KJHS and KSS, graduating in 1971. Barb was artistic and athletic and over the years she had many interests including camping, fishing, hiking and exploring the hills, backwoods and the KVR, softball, golf, cross-country skiing, sewing (wonderful Hallowe’en costumes), country music, solving puzzles of all kinds, and in the last years, she was a passionate geo-cacher. She liked to travel and made two trips to South Africa to visit her friend Barb, as well as to Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii, several other states, Jamaica, Mexico, Europe and Britain to visit family and explore her heritage.

Barb loved animals, especially dogs (often a pet sitter), and fed local critters from her patio during the winter. She cheered loudly for the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Blue Jays and she enjoyed watching curling as well. Barb enjoyed her tea three times a day, Diet Pepsi and Coors Light, chocolate (Turtles) and potatoes of any kind (“you couldn’t wreck a potato”). She liked to eat out and prepare dishes for family get-togethers. Family and friends’ birthdays were always remembered. She lent a hand to others when she could, even though it was sometimes not so easy to do so. Barb had many idiosyncrasies and these gave her character. She was the fun one in the family just like her dad.

Barb always said, “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.” In the end she worked for nearly 40 years at Lakeview Market in Kelowna. She was a loyal employee to the end.

Despite many health issues in the last few years Barb remained optimistic about things. The glass was always half full! She maintained her sense of humour and wit and carried on even when it was a challenge at times. She cherished the memories of the old days. Barb always said she “loved her life because she had no worries and no stress.” However, this changed in the last while and she hated change of any kind. Barb did not want a fuss made over her in life, and not in death either.

At Barbara’s request there will be no service. She will be interred in St. Andrew’s Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In honour of her, please live your lives fully with optimism, compassion and kindness.