Obituary of Barb Fredrickson

FREDRICKSON: Barb Fredrickson, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at Brandon Regional Health Centre on March 29, 2011 at the age of 93 years. She was predeceased by her husband Walter, and daughter Judi; and is survived by son David (Debbie), grandsons Jason and Geoffrey (Jessica and Quinton), and son-in-law Norm Magnusson, and grandchildren Kristenn and Erik (Darcy), and great- grandchildren Maxwell, Marley, Avery and Camryn. Family and friends gathered at Brockie Donovan Chapel, on Saturday, April 2, 2011 to celebrate her long and full life. We share here her story, as told in her own words in 2005: Helen Barbara Shepard was born in 1917 and raised in Binscarth, Manitoba the second of four children. She unceremoniously became Barbara when there were too many Helens enrolled in her grade one class. Her family lived with her grandparents. Good behavior at school was important growing up and according to her stories she more than once had to go out and cut her own willow switch. There was always a sibling willing to run ahead with stories from school. After high school, she and her sister Ruth headed for Business College in Winnipeg, but Barb returned to help her mother and grandparents with the boarding house they ran for mail clerks and teachers. Barb met and married a teacher by the name of Walter Fredrickson in 1944. They moved throughout southwestern Manitoba with stops in Elgin, Boissevain, and Strathclair before moving themselves and their two children to Brandon in 1957. After years of teacherage living, backyard plumbing, dealing with school boards to get leaky roofs and drafty window fixed, they moved into their own brand new house on Second Street, just off Richmond Ave., where Barb lived until moving into River Heights Terrace in 1999. Barb and Walter were very active in the community and involved in the organization and eventual building of Trinity United Church. Barb was the CGIT leader for years and active in the United Church Women's Group. More recently she participated in the mortgage burning, and was given a lifetime membership to the UCW. She loved to bake. Everyone from grocery deliveryman, to neighborhood kids that cut her lawn and cleaned her walks enjoyed her fresh buns and homemade jam. Her apple pies were always a highlight of family gatherings. Barb worked with mentally challenged adults for many years at CAMROC Occupational Center, teaching ceramics and crafts. Many lasting friendships were made with students and coworkers alike. Barb was always an avid curler, and after retiring joined a group of old girls at The Riverview Curling Club starting a league that grew into a provincially recognized category of curling that is still today known as the Golden Gals. She served as secretary for the Golden Gals well past her active curling days and traveled to league meetings where old friendships were kept alive. Barb moved into Rideau Park in December of 2005 where she enjoyed knitting, and teasing and being teased by the nursing staff. The family would like to thank Wade Lombard and staff, and Rev. Laird Russell-Yearwood for their kindness and compassion. The family would also like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Rideau Park Nursing Home for providing such a warm caring environment for Barb.