The Brook Family
Sending condolences to the family. May your loved one rest in peace.
Beatrice Elcie (nee Brook) Barbe passed away on October 11, 2022, just days before her 89th birthday. Beloved wife of Leonard Barbe for 66 years, and devoted mother to Tracy Barbe (Ronald Kramp).
Beatrice is predeceased by her parents Muriel (nee Stewart) and William Brook, brothers Amon and Eric Brook, sister Gladys Brook, brother-in-law Jim McKnight, sister-in-law Fern Brook, and great nephew Mathew Wilson.
Left to mourn is her sister Alice McKnight (Jim), brothers Charlie (Susan), Raymond, and William (Deltha) Brook, sister Marla (Victor) Larocque, and sister-in-law Nancy Brook.
Beatrice had several cousins, nieces and nephews and great cousins’ nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. Family was number one priority for her and there’s nothing she enjoyed more than the time spent with them. Niece Emily was always considered the “other” daughter and mom was always proud to say goddaughter. Aunty Bea and Aunty Beatsy was her favorite nick name!
Beatrice spent a lot of time baking and baking in restaurants like the Golden Palms (last job before retirement) and working with a great bunch of ladies. During her life time she had a lot of “odd jobs” or “side gigs”. Beatrice was always busy and always working hard. Beatrice’s number one job in life was raising her daughter Tracy and being a mother was considered serious business. She took great pride in all of her daughter’s accomplishments and could always be found helping out at the store during her retirement. Beatrice was very compassionate, kind and loving with all the animals, pets and made sure to teach her daughter about care and compassion for animals. On a cold winter night, Beatrice wouldn’t think twice about bringing in a multitude of stray neighborhood dogs for a meal and a warm place to spend the night.
Beatrice was known for her colorful language, stories and absolutely had a “catch phrase” for every situation. Her favorite to recite was “never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you”. There’s nothing, she enjoyed more than camping on the weekends, talking on the phone, baking, car rides, lunch and shopping with sisters and enjoying life with her husband. Leonard and Beatrice would rarely be away from each other for more than a day. They had an unwavering love and understanding for each other for 66 years. Leonard understood that Bea was right and he was okay with that!
Sister-in law Susan and Beatrice brought up their daughters together and were best friends. They would plan their days together with the kids, working together and supporting each other as “partners in crime” and as “thick as thieves”, working together, sharing recipes and supporting each other in good and bad times.
The family would like to thank Extendicare for their special care during one of the most difficult couple of years and treating Beatrice like their own family when family couldn’t be with her.
A celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations in Beatrice’s memory can be made to Extendicare Resident Council, 155 Government Road East, Kirkland Lake ON P2N1A9