BANFIELD Barbara

1922 ~ 2013 Barbara Adeline (Babs) Banfield of the City of Lethbridge, beloved wife of 71 years to John J.

Banfield, passed away peacefully on the 23rd of November, 2013, at the age of 91 years. Barbara was born on the 24th of August 1922 in England, the daughter of Thomas and Muriel Buss of Dorking, Surrey, and later older sister to Brian. She attended St. Paul’s School, and was a keen tennis player and thespian. When the Second World War broke out, she volunteered with the National Fire Service. On Easter Sunday, 1941, Barbara met a young Canadian sergeant, who became the love of her life. She married John Banfield on the 3rd of October 1942, and their first son was born a year later. Barbara and John lived in Surrey, not far from London and enjoyed a rich social life, including being invited to a garden party to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her second son was born in 1951, and in 1957, the family took the momentous decision to move to Canada, settling in Lethbridge, where she lived for the remainder of her life. In Lethbridge, Barbara made lifetime friends, and as her sons married and she gained grandchildren and great grandchildren, her life was enriched with family gatherings, travel, outings with friends, picnics and hikes, golfing, cross-country skiing, parties, and dinners. When the children were young, the family vacationed in the Okanagan valley, and later, she and John travelled to holiday spots in Hawaii, Portugal, California, and New Brunswick. She stayed very close to her family in England, particularly her beloved brother, Brian, his wife, Joyce, and their children, travelling to England to meet them, or delighting in showing them the beauties of her new home, especially on trips to Waterton National Park. She loved the mountains, and a favourite outing was to pack a picnic and head west. As a young wife and mother, Barbara quickly became an integral part of her community here. She learned to drive when John was in hospital, and became an avid golfer. She made friends everywhere she went, and was especially fond of a group of fellow war brides and English women with whom she shared many a happy afternoon. She attended St Augustine’s Anglican Church, and was a volunteer with the Municipal Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, YWCA Harbour House, and Ladies of Kiwanis. Although she was involved in the community, Barbara was always and first a homemaker for her family: a fine cook, a neat seamstress, a meticulous housekeeper, a sympathetic ear, a consoling presence, a faithful correspondent, an enthusiastic attendee of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, and a model of steady companionship and love. Besides her loving husband, John, Barbara is survived by two sons, Terence (Terry) J. Banfield (Anita J.) of Edmonton and Paul A. Banfield (Mary-Alice Thompson) of Kingston, Ontario; by four granddaughters, Lisa M. Batey (Grant) of Sherwood Park, Lee-Ann Houston of Seattle, Washington, Emma F. Banfield (Dave Wiebenga) of Mississauga, Ontario, and Lucy M. Banfield of Edmonton; and by six great grandchildren, Alyssa, Brandon, Cara, Mikeeli, Kellen, and Isaac. She is also survived by her brother, Brian Buss, of Horley, Surrey, England, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. The family wishes to extend thanks to Dr. C.X. Van Der Poll for his compassionate attendance and guidance, to the staff at West Highland Centre, and to the staff at Edith Cavell Nursing Home for their exemplary care. A Memorial Service marking the long and joyous life of Barbara – wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend – will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, the 9th of December, 2013, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4th Street South, Lethbridge, a private inurnment to follow. Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, 271 – 339 50 Avenue SE Calgary AB T2G 2B3, or to a charity of your choice. Send condolences at www.mbfunerals.com.