BARBARA JUNE KALETA

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BARBARA JUNE KALETA

Barbara June Kaleta, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025, at the age of 93 years. Barbara was born on June 14, 1931, the youngest of two children to Edith and Harry Davies in Manchester, England.

In September, 1939, at the age of just eight years, Barbara was evacuated to the north of England along with approximately 1.5 million other children to avoid the anticipated bombing campaign of Nazi Germany. This well-meaning evacuation of children away from their parents often proved to be traumatic. Fortunately, Barbara's mother could not bear to be separated from her children, and after just a few days she travelled north to collect Barbara and her brother, Harry, and bring them home.

For the next four years Barbara lived through bombing raids, the rationing of food, and shortages of every conceivable necessity. One day she awoke to find that the wrought iron fence in her front yard had been dismantled and taken away to make bullets for the young men fighting on the front lines.

Despite the war Barbara completed her grade nine education and went on to attend business college securing a secretarial certificate. As a secretary Barbara was very adept at "short hand", recording dictation at a high speed with just a pencil and notepad.

Barbara married John Bruckshaw in 1952 and had her first of two children, Wendy Duncan (nee Bruckshaw), in April of 1953. In 1954 John Bruckshaw felt compelled to leave England and settle in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a young woman with a child in 1955, Barbara had little option but to follow. At the age of 24 years, with a toddler under one arm and a suitcase under the other, Barbara took an ocean liner from Liverpool to Montreal, and then a train from Montreal to Winnipeg. At that time the Canadian authorities did not ask immigrants where they wanted to live. Rather the young Bruckshaw family was told that they would take up residence in Winnipeg, Manitoba - a small prairie city of 390,000 renowned for its mild climate.

The family took up residence in a small bungalow with a coal fired furnace that they rented from the City of Winnipeg for $50.00 per month. A second child, Peter Bruckshaw, was born in August of 1957. Barbara soon discovered the British Wives Club and there she met her dear friend, Sheila Barker. She also began to attend Augustine Church and insisted on taking two reluctant children with her each Sunday morning rain or shine.

Barbara was truly a devoted mother who, despite a difficult marriage, was always focused on the well-being of her children. Barbara put a high premium on reading and there was always an abundance of children's books in the home. Every evening Barbara would read to her children, and without fail every Friday afternoon she and the children would go to the "Bookmobile". The Bookmobile was an enclosed heated trailer with shelves full of books which would once a week be towed to the local school yard. There Barbara and the children took away a week's worth of reading.

In 1968 Barbara began employment as a secretary with Family Services of Winnipeg. In 1969, with two young teenagers, she left a difficult marriage moving into her own apartment. Barbara thereafter joined a social and dancing club called Club 66, where she eventually met the love of her life, Pete Kaleta. Barbara and Pete were married in 1976. They moved to Birds Hill, just north of Winnipeg, and built a beautiful home and life together. Barbara remained ever focused on her children and grandchildren. For more than 20 years Barbara and Grandpa Pete would have the entire extended family over for Christmas Eve dinner and gift opening. Barbara and Pete went to great lengths to make it a happy occasion and some wonderful and lasting memories were the result.

Barbara was truly blessed by her devoted husband, Pete Kaleta, who always looked out for her in so many ways. They shared a love of dancing and good food and family gatherings and home fires. When Grandpa Pete's health began to fail and Barbara was no longer able to look after him, he was obliged to enter a nursing home. Barbara then reciprocated her husband's devotion by spending several hours each day at the nursing home with Grandpa Pete six days per week without fail until his passing in April of 2016.

In the years that followed, Barbara's focus remained on her children and grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. She loved to visit with family and loved to hear about what everyone was up to. Sadly, after contracting Covid, Barbara was obliged to enter a nursing home in early 2024. She was sustained there by frequent visits from family and regular phone calls from her good friend, John Hanks.

After a brief struggle with pneumonia Barbara passed away on January 13, 2025. She is survived by her children, Wendy Duncan (David), Peter Bruckshaw (Allison), her grandchildren, Jocelyn Keith (Daniel), Rachel Duncan, Jon Bruckshaw (Bailie), Elinor Bruckshaw (Luke) and her six wonderful great-grandchildren. She is now in heaven giving a loving hug to her granddaughter, Lilja Bruckshaw.

Barbara's devotion to her family, her consistent love and kindness and moral support, will not be forgotten. Many thanks to the staff of Golden Door Geriatric Centre for their consistent care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Smile Canada.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2025