Barbara Lynn Brown was born September 19th, 1968 in Abbotsford BC. She passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer January 9th, 2024. For her last moments, Barbara was surrounded by her daughters, her sister Elaine, and her parents Walter and Irene Brown. Till the very end Barbara fought tooth and nail through all pain, the impossible odds, and the complications of an underfunded and understaffed medical system.

The family is grateful to the nurses that listened, the friends and family members who rallied, and for what seemed like divine intervention that enabled Barb to move locations and receive hospice care in Kelowna rather than pass away at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. We urge everyone who knows and cares about Barb–and knows the happenings of her passing–to write a letter to their MLA to share her story and urge the powers to be, to better fund our hospitals, provide more training on palliative care/bedside manner, and pay our nurses better wages. Barb wanted it to be known.

In addition to cancer, Barbara endured chronic pain from two failed back surgeries after a car accident earlier in her life. In spite of these hardships, she remained resilient and carried on. Barb kept busy and her credentials and passions active. She loved animals and going on walks through Polson Park to see the ducks and geese. She took great pride in her insurance broker accreditation, and year after year, she kept it and her knowledge on all things insurance up to date. That skillset in her profession, also carried over into her personal life as she was a meticulous planner and organizer. She was the go to person if you needed help on some government form, a paper reviewed or just that person who always had a pen you could borrow.

Barb’s passion in life was anything and everything to do with music. It was her gift, her fire, and her peace. Barbara was an incredibly talented pianist, playing professionally for periods of time in notable hotels in both Vernon and Vancouver BC. Barb also played for family gatherings, weddings and church functions, sharing her music with everyone who would listen. Barb’s true calling was to be an entertainer–she played so eloquently on the keys, and could also belt out fun-loving bangers at karaoke night with friends.

Barb was deeply generous and hardworking. She took care of people. Barb volunteered at the North Okanagan Hospice, several retirement homes, the Upper Room Mission in Vernon, and often offered her time to drive neighbors to appointments if they were elderly or without transportation.

Barb was also entrepreneurial in spirit, very scrappy, and was always clever in saving cash to get by. Whether it was her bottle collection business, her precise budget making, or her quick thinking to get one over “the man.”

During her lifetime, Barbara was known as a woman who was never afraid to “say it how it was” but who also had the biggest heart and would literally give the shirt off her back. Barb was easy to talk to and her empathetic nature drew people in and made them comfortable to share their struggles and stories almost immediately after meeting. Her spirit has always been wildly fun and deeply loving. She fiercely protected her loved ones and was fearless to speak up for them.

Barb fought everyday for better circumstances for herself and those she cared about. She experienced more hardships than one person deserves in a life, and she still continued onward. In spite of it all, she still managed to smile beautifully, wildly dance, and make others laugh loudly. She was a warrior. She was a sister, a niece, a daughter, the best aunt, and most importantly, a mother who lived for her girls.

Barbara is survived by many siblings, several nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, her parents Walter and Irene, her three daughters Natalya, Jessica and Victoria, and her ex-husband and good friend John. She will be deeply missed.

Barbara’s Celebration of Life will be held May 11, 2024 and will be full of love, music and laughter. Please be sure to contact her daughter at victoriaross12345@gmail.com and/or natalya.palladino@gmail.com for more information if you wish to attend. Feel free to wear vibrant fun colors, all wardrobe is welcomed.

 

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

https://archwaysociety.ca/counselling-advocacy-support/oak-child-youth-advocacy-centre/ , Kelowna Hospice Society and Joe Anna’s House.

 

 

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com