BARBARA E. LOWNDES
(nee Symonds)
It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara E. Lowndes announces her passing. Barb was born October 21,1932 in Hafford, Saskatchewan and surrounded by loved ones, Barb passed away peacefully at the age of 80 after brief illness in Kamloops, B.C. on December 9, 2012.
She was predeceased by her parents Jack and Phyllis Symonds, husband Alfred Lowndes and brother Ted Symonds.
She leaves to celebrate her life sons Marcel (Juanita) Lowndes, Abbotsford, B.C., Ross (Sandra) Lowndes, Kamloops, B.C., Partner and companion Allan Thomas, and his daughter Jesse. Grandchildren: Bobbi (Nathan) Stevens, Fort McMurray, AB, Chad (Diana) Kamloops, B.C., Corey (Shirley) New Westminster, B.C., and many family and friends.
Barb started life in small town Speers, Saskatchewan where she lived until she was around ten years old and then moved to Vernon, B.C. with her family. She worked in various jobs that gave her a wide skill range, Banker, Dental Assistant, Bookkeeper. She always said she never applied for a job she didn't get. She and Al married in June 4, 1952 and raised two sons in Vernon until a job change moved them to Kamloops in 1974. Which was the start of many new adventures. The new job provided lots of traveling and ended up moving them to Nelson, B.C., and back to Kamloops before retirement.
In 1985 a new adventure arrived, a Granddaughter, followed by two Grandsons in 1987. Barbara loved her grandchildren a great deal and could often be found finding creative ways to keep them busy, baking, tobogganing or playing road hockey. This love for them and their passions grew as she never missed an opportunity to cheer them on at hockey or basketball games or in the pursuit of higher education.
Retirement brought a welcomed time to enjoy family, grandchildren and travel. Al passed away shortly into retirement, but Barb didn't let that slow her down. She made a difference volunteering with Kamloops Hospice for a number of years and volunteered for various duties on different strata boards she was involved in. She made friends easily and knew the value being there for family, friends, and any one she thought needed someone to talk to.
She met Allan and began again, together they took on life's challenges over the past 16 years. They moved forward together blending their lives and families. Allan put a smile on Barbs face and they could usually be found teasing and joking back and forth. Together they traveled extensively. Most recently just returning from a holiday in Mexico in late November.
Barbara was a loving and devoted wife, a kind, proud and supportive mother and grandmother. Barb's vibrant firecracker personality and zest for life will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial Service will follow later in 2013.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to any of Moms favorite charities would be appreciated. Kamloops SPCA, Kamloops Hospice, Heart and Stroke, or Kidney Foundation.

Gone from our sight but
never our memories.
Gone from our touch but
never our hearts.