November 14, 1935 - April 26, 2019
Barbara Anne Emery, of Terrace BC, passed peacefully on April 26th after a brief hospital stay. She spent her final days surrounded by family listening to old familiar hymns and messages of love sent from afar.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 61 years Albert Emery, daughter Shelley (David) Coxen, son Stephen (Donna) Emery, Grandchildren Jonas (Carmen) Coxen, Briana
(Cory), Marlee (David), Lynette, Melissa (Dustin) Emery, Great Grandchildren Olivia and Owen Emery, extended grandchildren Mathew and Robin Gosse.
Siblings Norma (Edmond, passed May 2, 2019) Emery, Don (Jean) Stephens, Sister-in-law Blanch (Bernie) Martin and numerous nieces and nephews across BC and the prairies.
Pre-deceased:Parents Charlie and Donna Stephens, nephew Dwayne Emery.
Barbara was born to Charlie and Donna Stephens, November 14, 1935, eldest of 3 children and spent her early childhood in Port Alberni, BC. The family later moved to Kamloops, BC where she graduated Kamloops High School in 1954 then attended Provincial Normal School in Vancouver, BC.
Upon graduation in 1956, she began her teaching career in a two-room school at McAlister BC teaching Gr 1-4 but soon became principal when the position suddenly opened. She continued to pursue further education for many years achieving her Bachelor's Degree in Education, Library and Canadian Studies at UBC/UVic.
Working in rural schools those early years were challenging, while walking to school in -45 weather, she fell ill with pneumonia and was admitted to Quesnel General Hospital where she happened to meet a handsome young mill worker, Albert Emery. Soon engaged, she accepted a teaching position at Riverside School in Terrace, BC and married April 7, 1958. She continued teaching at various schools in Terrace grades K-Gr 11 and later Teacher/Librarian at Kitwanga Elementary Secondary School until her retirement in 1998.
Shelley was welcomed to their world in 1959, followed two years later by Stephen. In 1964, she and Albert bought a farm in Cedarvale, BC, where they homesteaded and gathered many memories with a large community of friends and family.
After Barbaras retirement they moved back to Terrace to be closer to their grandchildren treasuring endless hours of music recitals, soccer games and hosting frequent family dinners. She was active in their church, quilting group, entertaining friends, working to improve senior living conditions in the community and a board member of the Happy Gang Center.
Please join together and celebrate her life at the Evangelical Free Church May 25th at 11 am. For housebound or out of town friends the celebration will be available "Live online" at www.terraceefc.com.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to BC Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.