Barbara Alaine Buck Hamilton

Barbara Hamilton (Née Buck) died peacefully in the presence of her family at Kamloops Seniors Village on January 24, 2015.

Barbara was born in Carmel, California on June 14, 1928. She was the older sister to Mimi.

She attended Wellesley College in Boston and then obtained her Masters of Social Work at the University of Connecticut.

She met Crawford on a blind date, and they were married on June 18, 1949. She turned 21 and graduated from University this same week.

As newlyweds they lived in Hartford, Connecticut, where their first son Charlie was born. They then moved to Calgary where Steve was born, and then on to Kamloops in 1954. Three more sons were born here, Harry, Doug and Ted.

Barbara worked hard, raising her sons, and with Crawford in their land development business, ‘Summit Enterprises’, which saw the growth of Sahali into the hills of Kamloops. Mom also taught Sociology at the nursing school at Royal Inland Hospital.

Barb was a long-time member of her ‘University Women’s Club’ and was an avid Bridge player.

Barb loved to ski, water-ski and swim. With her family she spent many wonderful summers at Shuswap Lake and winters at Tod Mountain. Her legacy lives on in the beautiful Shuswap cabin she worked hard to build after she lost Crawford.

Barb shared her love of camping and the outdoors. On one memorable adventure she hiked 30 km to the spectacular Bald Mountain ridge. She was so touched by the splendour of these alpine vistas that she asked that her ashes be spread there along with her beloved Crawford.

Barb and Crawford loved to travel and would take the family on extended trips whenever they could. In 1968 she and Crawford fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking their 4 sons and Crawford’s mother on a world circumnavigation by ship.

In the mid-seventies they discovered Kapalua, on Maui, and this became a place they loved and returned to over and over. The whales, the sun, the ocean breezes, the turtles all seemed to have a magical place in Barb’s heart. She brought all of her grandchildren to Kapalua and hence became known as ‘Turtle Grandma’.

In her early 50’s Barb developed Rheumatoid Arthritis, and despite shoulder and hip replacements, chronic pain and trouble walking and using her hands, she showed her true spirit of determination, continuing to walk and swim and do everything she loved.

Barb’s inner wisdom, her strength of spirit, her kindness and her lifelong guidance made her truly beloved by her children, grandchildren, and her many friends. She was an amazing listener who showed compassion towards everyone. In her presence one felt deep respect and genuine love. She inspired us all with her courage and her resolute faith in family.

Barbara was pre-deceased by her loving husband Crawford. She is survived by her sister Mimi (Buddy), brother-in-law Dick (Winkie), sons Charlie, Steve, Harry, Doug (Christine) and Ted (Kate), and grandchildren Ryan (Katie), Ross, Mitchell, Teminey (Sam), Zay (Heather), Justin, Quinn (Katie), Sienna, and Lily, and great grandchildren Calala, Zephyr, Soraya, and Samika.

Please join us in celebrating Barbara's life on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11am at Saint Andrews on the Square, 159 Seymour Street, Kamloops.

No flowers by request. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the RIH Foundation, 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC, V2C 2T1.