Barbara Easton

(nee Amies) a.k.a. Johnstone, Jenkins, Easton, Conroy, Easton

May 29, 1939 – July 19, 2011

If you are reading this now, you know I have passed away. It's always been important to me to have the last word, and what better way to do that than write your own obituary. I am survived by my mother Nell Amies; daughter, Kristine Jenkins; my sisters, Iris (Jim) Waite, Cori (Tom) Bestwick; my brother Stan (Karen) Amies; many nephews and nieces, and many great nephews and nieces. Last but certainly not least, my faithful little dog Maggie. I was predeceased by my father, Al Amies in 1978, my daughter Laurel Johnstone in 1981, my nephew Cameron Bestwick in 2007, and husband #3, Larry Easton in 2009. This is the part of the obituary where most people share information about the deceased's education, career, hobbies and affiliations, awards, etc. In my case however, there is nothing particularly interesting about my life, but it was sure an interesting 70 years or so. We saw the beginning and end of WWII, wars in Korea and Vietnam, endless tribal and ethnic wars in Yugoslavia and Africa, and of course the continual fighting in the middle east. We saw President Kennedy assassinated, and less than 5 years later, his brother Bobby meeting the same fate. We saw Princess Diana so tragically killed in a senseless car crash. And then of course, the horror and outrage of 9/11 and subsequent bombings and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. There were some good things too in those years. The invention of Salk vaccine which ended the scourge of polio. We saw the first man on the moon, an American, in 1969. The advances in technology are astonishing, to me at least. Cell phones, computers, ipads, ereaders, blackberries, from analog TV to HD, and now to 3D. Space craft launches are an ordinary event these days. Cars that don't need keys to start them literally drive and park themselves - PARALLEL yet! Boy wish I'd had one of those years ago! And now of course, as I "speak" the Middle East is in yet another upheaval with the common people, students etc, rebelling against years of tyranny in their countries. Sometimes I think it would be so wonderful to live another four decades or so and see how it all comes out, and see what part my little great nieces and nephews are going to play in this new world . I have asked my family and a few friends to gather in a private celebration of my life. Fifty years ago I heard a poem that I loved and will now share with you.

The Life that I have

Is all that I have

And the Life that I have

Is yours.

The love that I have

For the Life that I have

Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have

A rest I shall have,

Yet death will be but a pause

For the peace of my years

In the long green grass

Will be yours and yours and yours.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the “Cam Bestwick Foundation Fund”, c/o The Calgary Foundation, 700, 999 – 8 Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2R 1J5. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial