BARBARA ISHBEL FINES

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BARBARA ISHBEL FINES (nee GILBERT) October 25, 1933 - September 25, 2015 With her loving family by her side, our beloved Mom passed away gently on Friday, September 25, 2015 at Pinecrest Home. Devoted wife of Jim; loving mother of Rick and Cynthia; caring grandma to Ben, Jamie and Robyn; beloved aunt to Donna, Jacquie, Bonnie, Geoff, Jacqui, Patricia and Jennifer; great-grandmother to Ben and Lilly. Daughter of Robert and Winnifred Gilbert (deceased); sister of Winnifred and June (deceased). Cherished sister-in-law to Joan and Ted, Chuck (deceased) and Pat and Cole (deceased). Mom and her sisters June and Winnifred grew up in Kirkfield Park, Manitoba. She enjoyed school, piano, and her pets. She was crowned a local beauty queen. Mom left high school to support her family as a secretary. She first spotted Dad standing in a lineup at the Ashdown Building. She bet her co-worker that she could make Dad smile. She did and he waited for her after work. So began their 65-year lifelong courtship. After their marriage in 1955, Dad joined the Air Force. They set up home in North Bay Ontario, Ottawa and finally Gimli. When Dad retired from the military, they moved to Stony Mountain. While Dad travelled extensively with H.C. Paul Ltd., Mom worked at the Pen, doted on her children and finished her G.E.D. at Red River College. Mom and Dad made their final move to Northwestern Ontario as owner-operators of Clearwater Bay Marina, Ontario. Mom kept the books for the marina, kept the peace and worked full time at Probation and Parole in Kenora until her retirement. Mom and Dad delighted in lake life with friends and family. She enjoyed gardening, playing the piano, writing with the Kenora Writer's Group, attending Knox United Church, cuddling with her pets and fitting in as much laughter and love as possible in annual visits with her beloved sister and best friend, June. Mom loved a good game of anything. Despite her sensitive spirit, which saved the lives of many spiders, Mom played games with the grace and stealth of a quiet assassin. Mom was a persistent optimist with the elegance of a poet. She was a dignified lady, determined to leave this world a better place, even to the very end. She lived a good life and taught us well. Thank you, Mom. Our family sends our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated staff of Pinecrest Home. They went above and beyond in their care for our precious Mom, and also in their support of Dad's unwavering attention to her. A special thanks to all of the friends and family who supported our family during Mom's long goodbye. Barb's wishes for cremation and a private family gathering have been honoured. Memorial donations may be made to It's a Dog's Life' in Kenora, Ontario, http://adogslife.cc/. Good bye Mom. God keep you and bless you. Till we meet again. The final word is yours. The Heartbeat by Barbara Fines We are born with a heartbeat, A gift from God above, But when He stills that heartbeat, He does it with His love. My time has come for dying; It's time to leave this place. But I will go rejoicing; I'll meet God face to face. But I'll still be here with you, My dear friends and family. For when you hear your heart beat, Perhaps you'll think of me. Alcock Funeral Home & Cremation Services (Highway 17 West Keewatin), 547-6000

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 03, 2015