Monday, November 29, 2021
There was no one who liked fun more than Barb, except maybe Russ. These two were the original party animals and always welcomed friends and family to their home and taught their kids to do the same. They loved their family unconditionally and only wanted the absolute best for their kids and grandkids.
I was privileged to work with Barb at St. William School. We became instant and soon best friends after laughing about something "dumb" that happened at school. I was her teaching partner the last year of her career but her "spec ed" teacher for quite a few years. We were able to hang out in her classroom with the students, but were also able to enjoy the "fun" aspects of teaching - school Christmas carnival, other fundraisers, turkey dinners, ball games, field trips both locally and to Detroit. Five days a year we would travel to Toronto and Ottawa with other staff members, Rosario and Ray and "winning" parents. One year when Sars was hanging over our heads, we needed to bypass Toronto, and our principal, Joan Schell, allowed us to go to Montreal instead of Toronto. Barb always made these trips very memorable for the students. The students loved "Mrs. Howell"! I'm not sure I should be saying just how much of a good time we all spent - there was always an academic component to all the activities she initiated. School was Barb's happy place.
After retirement, we spent seven weeks on a camping trip to go "out west". We worked our way from Tuscan, to Yuma to California with places in between including the famous route 66. Barb especially enjoyed the city of Oatman where the donkeys roamed the streets freely. We went to re-enactments of the OK Corral, Tombstone, then to the Center of the Earth in Felicity, a city that borders, California, Mexico, and Arizona. We walked across to Mexico, watching the armed guards pointing their machine guns and asking questions later. That day we wanted an authentic Mexican drink and went to some bar. Some bar it was - we had to knock to get in and the guy asked us what we wanted as I don't think we looked like the local regulars...I think the term is a brothel. The margaritas were very good and it finally hit Barb and I of what kind of bar we were in. Moe seemed to know where we were but let us do our thing. When we finally realized what was going on all around us, we gathered up all the treasurers we purchased with "good deals" from the local markets - fake cactus plants, sombreros, jackets for all our kids that nobody ever wore - mainly junk- we had to carry everything and high tail it out of there. The three of us laughed about that for years.
We continued to Laughlin Nevada where we went to Mass in a casino, had our throats blessed in honour of St. Blaise on February 3. In the same casino, next door to the "church", in another room, we ate footlong all you can eat crab legs. I think we each had 12, if not more. We went on to Las Vegas where Moe and I had to take turns being with Barb in the "big wigs" special bar as she was allowed only one visitor at a time. Good times.
From Nevada we drove up to Santa Barbara and met with family and friends. We tried to find Oprah's house - no luck- went to the Wharf where Barb purchased her nice Santa Barbara jacket. She was wearing it still even last week. We travelled as far up to the "Hollywood" sign as we could before getting turned away, drove through Hollywood and very quickly checked out Rodeo Drive- we really were not welcomed there. Later we made our way to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon, both breath taking. We spent a couple days touring the Grand Canyon where a snowstorm hit the area. The park rangers insisted we leave very soon as their own people were not familiar with driving through snowstorms. Though we tried to explain we were farmers from Ontario, we were still told to get going. It was so cold; Barb and I were freezing. We convinced Moe to drive us half way across the country to go to Florida. I'm still amazed that he agreed and we spent a nice, warm week down south!
A few years later, we spent five days in Old Quebec City. We did go to St. Anne de Beaupre but had lots of fun. We ate and partied like the locals, toured the Plains of Abraham, went on the funicular, spent an afternoon at the spectacular Montmorency Falls, and went on a carriage ride touring the city in the evening. Good times again. These are a few of the memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Barb, God saw that you endured enough agony. No more sore hips, sore legs, sore shoulder, sore gut, sore mouth, and no more worries or chemo. Your pain and suffering are over. I know how much you loved spending time with Jesse and his family especially the awesome trip to Alberta. I know how you were embarrassed but always loved it when Kelly introduced and thanked you at every performance. I know how much you appreciated Aaron opening his home to make it yours and the kindness and gentleness he extended to you, especially these past few months.
Barb we are grateful for the love and friendship both our families enjoyed through the years. Always good times.
You are finally reunited with Russ, your parents, Russ's parents, Gail, Bruce and everyone you ever loved. Let the party begin! Not good, but, great times forever!
We will miss you forever; we love you! Moe and Pat xxoo
