Tribute

Bobbie passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ surrounded by her children. Pre-deceased by husband Bill in 2009, she was wife, mother, grandmother, friend and ‘Mom’ to many, many others. Her love, presence, and focus on family will be missed by Lonnie (David), Bill (Lori), Dan (Heidi), and Ron (Judy). ‘Grandma’ will be missed by her 11 grandchildren (especially her favourites: Danika, Jonathan, Erin, Geoffrey, Daniel, Michael, Spencer, Mark, Ryan, Krista, and Jason). A special thanks to the wonderful staffs of Hallmark Assisted Living and Valhaven. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canadian Diabetes or the Parkinson Society of Canada.
Bobbie was born at Britannia Mines where she lived for a short time before the family moved to Vancouver. In 1934, she moved to the Cariboo wilderness with her parents and three sisters, attending a one room school house in Narcosli Creek, near Quesnel. In 1936, the family settled back in Vancouver where Bobbie met her lifelong friend, Charlotte, and her future husband, Bill, at Britannia High School. Bobbie and Bill married in 1946, settling in North Burnaby to raise their family of four children. In 1988, she and Bill moved out to Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley.
Bobbie worked for B.C. Telephone as an operator, raised four children, and became ‘Mom’ to countless others both in the neighbourhood and in her role as a Teaching Assistant and Noon Hour Supervisor at Lochdale Community School in North Burnaby. A talented seamstress, she also created countless dancing outfits for daughter Lonnie and many others. Her culinary talents were also famous in the neighbourhood as the Village household became a regular stop for friends and family ‘just in case’ there were fresh cookies or cakes available.
‘Family First’ was Bobbie’s unspoken tenet, one that she demonstrated daily with her own family, her parents and siblings, and countless others that came into her life. Her accommodating attitude, kind nature, and boundless positive energy in all she did made being in her presence a wonderful experience. Despite her many ailments that impacted her over the last few years, she maintained her great sense of humour, dignity, and natural warmth that reached out to all.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Calvin Presbyterian Church. 2597 Bourquin Crescent East, Abbotsford, B.C.