Born March 13, 1934 in Port Alberni, B.C. to parents John and Mary Pearse.
Shortly after birth Barbara's family moved to Roberts Creek, then finally to Vancouver. Barbara grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bayview Elementary School and Kitsilano High School followed by Vancouver Business College after graduation. She often shared stories of her childhood and stays at Garibaldi Lake with her mother and family members. Barbara met and married Norman William Mortimer, a fellow Kits alumni, on November 22, 1952. They settled in Kits and together they had sons Norman Bruce (1953) and Kenneth Richard (1955). Barb worked approximately 10 years at the Hollywood Theatre, then started a career working in customs and soon received her broker's license and continued until approximately 1988. Divorced in 1976, she later met Robert Schumacher and acquired a residence in Selma Park in 1980, commuting to Vancouver for eight years until Barbara moved to Selma Park/Sechelt for good in 1989, where she stayed until her passing .She had many friends and acquaintances through her connections at The Sechelt Legion, Ann-Lynn's Flowers and Sunshine Taxi as well as Gilligan's Pub. After Robert passed away Barb continued to love music, movies, sewing, crocheting (especially for the many nieces and nephews), flower arrangement and other crafts as well as her travels with her sister Margaret. She also loved her dogs Toby and Molly and had countless good days with both of them before needing to move into Shorncliffe residence where she resided until peacefully passing in her sleep May 11, 2015.
Predeceased by both parents, brother Thomas, sisters Ruth and Margaret and son Kenneth Richard. Survived by brother Ken, sisters Diane and Gail, son Norman Bruce, grandson Kenneth William, great-grandson Rex Parker Mortimer, many cousins, nieces and nephews. We will all miss her great smile, intelligence and humour.
No funeral or service by Barbara's request.
In lieu of flowers please donate to B.C. Cancer Society or BC SPCA.
Many thanks to the great staff at Shorncliffe for their kindness and support in making my mother comfortable throughout.
Gone but never forgotten.