Barbara "Babs" Lucille Bryden

Barbara Lucille Bryden, affectionately known to all who loved her as Babs, passed away at home on March 15, 2023. Babs was many wonderful things, but her most proud accomplishment was her daughter, Beth. Babs was born April 3, 1967 in Berkeley California in the year coined as the Summer of Love, to Gail and Lowell. Babs will be forever loved and missed by her husband Jody, daughter Beth, mother Gail (Bill), brothers Richard, Dave (Carice), Steve (Katie), and many niece’s, nephews and aunties and uncles. She is predeceased by her father Lowell.

Babs would want us to focus on who she was on this earth, how she loved and the beauty in her life. Babs had a strong faith and believed in the word of the Lord. She would say that some times she didn’t understand why things happened, but believed it all had a purpose. I’d like to believe that even though her passing was sudden and unexpected, that she’d want all who loved her to find a way to smile, find love and faith in God and know there was purpose in her life and in her death. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18.

Babs was a force in this world full of passion, determination and confidence, and frankly never short on words, she could carry a conversation in any room she walked into. This was first noticed when she was 9 months old and walking, 16 months old and talking a blue streak. She grew up roller skating, and dancing, especially passionate about ballet, she loved to be moving, exercising and socializing. Babs moved to Canada after college and resided in British Columbia for a few years, before getting married and eventually moving to Alberta and becoming a mother. Her daughter fondly recalls being raised on the Food Network. They would bond over recreating fabulous dishes for her family. She had exquisite taste and a love for pretty things, but let me tell you, that woman was the master at thrifting and getting a good deal. Babs was unapologetically Babs, she was well educated on many topics and would have no difficulties sharing her views in an intellectual conversation. Be sure to get your grammar straight though, because she would correct it for you.

Babs spent most of her time as a homemaker and an ESL tutor after the birth of their daughter as she wanted to be present for all the moments in her daughter’s life. Babs took great pride in keeping her home and cooking for and caring for her Husband and child. When she wasn’t busy cooking for her family, you could find her loving on her cats, or watching classic sitcoms, watching Food Network. Babs loved to be warm and cozy. She would either be wearing the softest, most cozy socks, sweaters and Lululemon, or looking radiant on a beach in Mexico with a gorgeous tan, soaking up the sun confident in a cute bikini and a fancy umbrella drink. If she was going out, to the school to pick up her daughter, or a fine dining event with her husband or grocery shopping, you better believe she was looking radiant and proud as can be driving in her green Jeep.

Any phone call with her you would be sure to hear about the latest culinary masterpiece she was proud to serve, the absolutely absurd calamity of the sitcom she was watching, reminiscing about times with her daughter, her family back home in the US, the silliness that her cats would get up to, or the latest news about Jody’s career. Babs didn’t travel often to the US in her last few years, but her family was the centre of her world. She followed all the goings on with the family and loved to share the stories. Babs was born at a time in the year that the Cherry Blossoms would be blooming and the Winter is turning to Spring bringing new life and hope. As noted by her mother; She can rejoice knowing that Babs is now in green pastures, beside still waters (Psalms 23).

The family has decided to have a private celebration of her life at a later date. Any gifts of remembrance, could be given to local animal shelters or school lunch programs in your area. In Bab’s honour, be your best self, love who you are, and eat exquisite food once in awhile to treat yourself.