Obituary of Barbara Jean O'Byrne

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara Jean O’Byrne on August 23, 2023, at the age of 74.  

 

Barbara was born on July 5, 1949, in Regina, Saskatchewan to her loving parents Elmer and Viola O’Byrne. She has three siblings: Norman, Pat and Connie, and two children, Starla and Kalen. She has five grandchildren: Zack, Rebecca, Kloey, Azura, and Mikayla; and two great-grandchildren: Bowen and Pharaoh.

 

Early in her life, she decided to become a teacher, achieving her Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. She taught for several years in Estevan and Moose Jaw before moving to Calgary, Alberta, where she received her Master in Classes from the University of Calgary in 1978. 

 

She taught for several more years and was married in 1983 in Canmore, Alberta to Larry Christensen. Her daughter, Starla, was born in 1983 in Calgary, AB and son, Kalen, in 1986 in Regina, SK. She travelled between several cities and towns over the years, leaving her footprints in towns such as Port Alberni, BC,  Sparwood, BC, Pense, SK, and Port Hardy, BC, before moving to Tumbler Ridge, BC in 2021. 

 

She spent several years practicing as a healthcare nurse until retirement. However, not one to keep still, she spent much of her time spread between volunteering and donating to organizations like the Salvation Army, local churches, or adding to her own special backyard grove that she fondly called "Briar Rose Forest" for friends, neighbours, and animals alike to share and enjoy. 

 

On August 15, she was compassionately transferred to a hospital in Cranbrook to be near family in her final days. She passed away peacefully on August 23 with family lovingly by her side. 

 

We will always keep our memories of her charm, her love of nature, her devout faith, and her fierce dedication to never giving up - even until the end.  

 

With love, you will be missed.