Barbara Louise Graham

Barb was born in Vancouver and passed away peacefully at home in Halfmoon Bay.

She is survived by her husband Greg of 49 years, her stepson Richard and his children Hunter and Jake. She is also survived by her brother Joe. She was predeceased by her parents Fred and Mary Holmes. She leaves behind many cousins, nephews and nieces. Barbara attended Point Gray Junior High where she first met Greg. She then attended Magee Highschool and went on to study at UBC. After UBC she started flying with United Airlines and was based in Los Angeles for a few years. Barbara reunited with her high school sweetheart Greg and they were married at her parents' home on the River. Barb often said that their wedding day was "the best day of my life". On that day she married her sweetheart and her best friend. If Barb was asked for advice about marriage she always said, "you have to be best friends". Barb and Greg spent almost 50 years together as husband and wife and best friends. Her anniversary was always a special day for Barb; she had a tradition of putting on her wedding gown and playing the Andy Williams Wedding song.

Barb and Greg built their life together starting with their home on the Fraser River in Richmond. One evening in front of the fire Barb and Greg noticed a help wanted ad for C.P. Airlines. Barbara was hired and this started a 20-year career. Through her time as a CP Air flight attendant she met countless friends and had wonderful adventures as she flew around the world. Her routes included Hawaii, Hong Kong, China and Europe. She once had Bob Hope on one of her flights. The friendships she made through those years were long lasting and special. In the days before she passed Barb received many messages and phone calls from her colleagues that she flew with over the years.

After her retirement Barb and Greg left the River and moved permanently to Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast. They built their dream home together and spent many happy hours working in their garden side by side. Barb was brought up on the water spending most weekends on the boat with her parents; and after getting married continued boating with Greg. They made many trips together from the River to Buccaneer Bay on Thormanby Island. Barbara had a creative, artistic soul and always had a project on the go. She loved her friends and family and never missed a birthday or special occasion; you were sure to receive a phone call or card in the mail. She brought joy to those around her and liked to share her happiness with other people. She was a loving and faithful person who will be sadly missed by all the people she came in contact with over her lifetime.

I would like to thank the Nurses in the ACU, the Lab staff and all the Doctors and Nurses who showed such compassion and care throughout Barb's illness. In honour of her memory donations can be made to Sechelt Hospital.

My Island
When in the weighty volume of Time's Scroll
Some curious historian writes my name,
Upon a wild and rocky island knoll
My slumbering bones will whiten without fame.
For I have lived as many a poet preaches
Upon my own small piece of precious land,
Formed by firs and rocks and clam shell beaches
And underneath the waves, the silvery sand.
My friends have been the eagle and the gull
And sometimes on a rain swept, foggy night,
A fishing crew sought shelter for their hull.
We laughed and sang until the morning light.
My life has been a simple one of peaceful days,
Night comes and darkness falls upon my island bays.

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