Barbara's life came to a close on July 19, 2011, at the age of 77 years. A woman of great strength, energy, compassion and generosity, she was our anchor and we will miss her.

Born on March 19, 1934 in Winnipeg, she came to British Columbia in 1943 with her parents and newborn sister. She lived in Cloverdale, Port Kells, Vancouver and Heffley Creek before settling in Westsyde in 1960 to raise her family. Later in life she moved to Westbank, where she resided for a number of years until she retired back to Kamloops.

Barbara is survived by her beloved daughters, Rene Stewart (Bob Gottselig), Joanne Shalapata and Louise Shalapata, brother Robert Ericksen (Divina), niece Laurie Sandison Anness and great-nieces Emily and Rachel, and niece Melanie Ericksen von Wartburg (René). She is also survived by her maternal aunt, Gwen Westerman and Smith step-children Dianne, Rusty and Jamie.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents Jess "John" Ericksen in 1978 and Irene Brocklesby Ericksen in 1990 and younger sister Rose Sandison in 2005. She was also predeceased by ex-husband Joe Shalapata in 1974, husband Val Le Comte in 1972, and husband Hebe Smith in 1975.

She was an avid reader, nature lover, gardener and traveler. She loved to knit, sew and embroider. She belonged to the Fifth Wheels club for many years, took up cross-country skiing in her late 40's and walked across a dormant volcano caldera at the age of 74.

For more than fifteen years hers was a familiar smiling face at the Kamloops Woodward's lunch counter. In other years she enjoyed working for Palmer's Dairy, Buckerfield's and Surplus Herby's. She volunteered with the Church of Cleopas in Westsyde and St. George's in Westbank and with many charities both before and after she retired from her last career as a home caregiver.

Special thanks to the caring staff at The Renaissance and The Hamlets at Westsyde for making the last two years of Barbara's life as comfortable as possible.

The family would like to invite all her friends and family to a Celebration of her Life at St. George's Anglican Church at 308 Royal Avenue, Kamloops, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2011, Captain The Reverend Isobel Healy-Morrow officiating, with a reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of BC, Box 277 Stn Main, Kamloops, BC V2C 5K6 or your local Humane Society in memory of Barbara would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be expressed at: www.schoenings.com

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service, Kamloops, telephone 250-374-1454.