Alice Elizabeth Barr

Alice Elizabeth (Betty) Barr (Lucas), 87, passed away at 3 am, May 13, 2017 in her home in Nanaimo, BC, surrounded by her three daughters and pictures of her four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Betty was born on December 3, 1929 to Eva (Bancesco) and Bill Lucas in the Grande Prairie Hospital. Betty’s mom did not want to give birth at home, as did so many of their neighbor’s wives, so in the midst of winter – December – Betty’s Dad hitched up the horses and sleigh and with a very pregnant wife on board drove to Grande Prairie some 50 miles away to await Betty’s birth. Betty lived with her family in a log home in the Elmsworth, Alberta area– kept up beautifully clean with always lots to eat, music, lots of fun with dogs, cats, pet lambs, pet pigs, pet calves and, of course, always a horse to ride. Betty’s horse was named Splendor and he would come right up to her when she called. Times were not good in the 30’s but the Lucas family always had time for neighbors and dances. Betty’s dad, Bill, moved the family, but still in the Sylvester District, where he bought a store, right across from the school, and a small farm. The store sold dry goods, candy, groceries and had a post office where mail had to be taken back and forth to another station by horse back or car – Model A Ford. Betty moved to Grande Prairie and lived at a Dorm to complete her high school. She applied to the Royal Bank and commuted to the Sexsmith Branch. Her future husband, Dave, worked just down the street at the hardware store. He would come into the bank to tease the girls but it was not until Betty danced with him (he was a wonderful dancer) did she fall in love. They were married on July 18, 1953 in the Christ Church Anglican, Grande Prairie; AB. Irene Balderston filled the church with peonies. Betty and Dave lived their life in Grande Prairie with service to her beloved Anglican Church and the community, as a main stay of their lives.

Betty shared a beautiful, passionate marriage of 25 years with Dave Barr, her first love - gone too soon in 1977 at the age of 49. The couple’s strength, support and commitment to each other through both good and difficult times as well as in sickness and in health was the foundation on which they chose to build their family life and Betty was the heart of it all. They were truly blessed, having shared countless memorable happy experiences with their children and with their many friends. They devoted their lives to helping people and community, and enjoying each other. She has gone to heaven to reunite with Dave and to dance.

Dave’s death changed everything. Betty was left to raise three teenage daughters on her own. She worked several jobs for many years. Even after she moved to Peace River, to work as the office manager for the Record Gazette, a weekly newspaper, Betty would board the bus every Friday night to work weekends in Grande Prairie at the Club at Ranchlands. She loved it.

Betty broke her leg shoveling her driveway on her lunch break at age 65. It was God’s only way of getting her to stop working. She moved to Nanaimo, BC where she made a wonderful life for herself. Near to her were her beloved Pam and family. She became an active member of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church – Church Alter Guild, Church Choir (Betty loved to sing and had a beautiful alto voice) and Reaching Out. Betty most enjoyed “being on coffee” on a Sunday morning so she could share her world-famous cinnamon buns. She baked and cooked for many church activities and did so joyfully with love. She was most proud of her year as Church Warden. Betty also joined the Nanaimo Songsters. This gave her great enjoyment as the Songsters travelled to senior homes throughout the community to sing and fellowship. Thursday mornings were reserved for her dear friends – the Nanaimo Bakery coffee klatch. Piper’s Lagoon was her favorite spot where, in her last months, she was able to sit on her chair with a blanket and deeply breathe in the wonderful sea air.

She had a steadfast, quiet and abiding faith that never wavered. Betty lived her life on purpose in service to Christ through service to others. She was a fun-loving, compassionate person and a positive role model to those whose lives she touched.

Her health (until cancer) was perfect and her mind was sharp. She loved sports and politics with a passion. She never forgave Glen Sather for trading Wayne Gretzky.

Betty leaves behind her daughters: Sharron Barr and her husband Randy Dirom, Grande Prairie, AB, Pam Franssen and her husband Gary Franssen, Nanaimo, BC, and Piper Barr and her husband Wayne Kloeckes, Calgary, AB; her adoring grandchildren David Barr and his wife Desiree Barr, Morganne Franssen, Lucas Franssen, and Joey Kloeckes; and her great grandson Ayden Barr. Her grandchildren were all the apple of her eye.

Betty’s family sends their deepest appreciation and gratitude to Nanaimo Home Support and especially Palliative Care Nurses Kellie and Joel whose care allowed Betty to pass away with dignity in her own home.

Betty asked us to. . . “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”

All are welcome to Betty’s service on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 2 p.m. in her beloved St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the Venerable Brian Evens officiating. To leave online condolences, please go to First Memorial Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul’s Reaching Out Ministry. Cheques can be made to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 100 Chapel Street, Nanaimo, V9R 5H2.