With great sadness we accept the passing of our wonderful mother, Barbara Ellen Bruce (nee Spencer). Barbara’s peaceful, final moments were lovingly attended by both her children. She spent her final seven months in the care of the professional staff at Bastion Place, Salmon Arm. There truly are angels who walk amongst us. Barbara was 94 years old and suffered with Parkinson’s disease.
Predeceased by her three sisters Louise Newbury, Trudy Felton and Ann Williamson as well as her brother John Spencer, Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her Son, Andrew Bruce, his wife Jody Bruce, and granddaughter Ginger Bruce of Kelowna, as well as Barbara’s daughter, Kathleen Bruce of Sorrento. She leaves behind Brother, Victor Spencer of West Vancouver, Sister, Diana Dyer of Ottawa, several nieces, nephews and many friends - notably, Dr. Kristen Kornienko, whose compassionate care enabled Mom to stay at home as long as possible.
Barbara was an academic who appreciated music, visual arts, history, literature and journalism. Mom was accepted to study piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music in London, but could not attend due to the outbreak of the Second World War. She took English classes at Radcliff/ Harvard for two years plus a summer, and completed her degree at UBC at home in Vancouver. She was assistant city editor of the Vancouver Sun News Paper during the war and a member of the Canadian Women’s Press Club. Post war, Barbara went to the interior of BC to act as managing director for one of her father’s cattle ranches, the Circle S Cattle Company, Dog Creek. There she met and married our dad, Lawrence Bruce (pre-deceased 2008) They ranched in Pritchard, BC before moving to Kelowna to raise their family.
Barbara was a life time member of the Canadian Hereford Association, a member of the Beef Cattle Growers’ Association, as well as former Director of the Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association, Williams Lake. She was nominated as a Member of the Senate of the University of British Columbia for years 1963 – 1966.
Surprisingly shy and reclusive, Barbara was compassionate, empathetic, loving and strong. She abhorred cruelty, stood up for what she believed in and spoke her mind. She had terrific courage and faith.
Mom’s departure from this life has left a hollow place in ours but our hearts are full of beautiful memories. We give thanks for her loving, knowledgeable influence and guidance, and we accept with joyous gratitude, Mom’s blessed release to a higher existence.
Private, family internment. Friends and family celebration of life to be held in Kelowna at a later, as yet undetermined, date.