BARBARA MONTGOMERY 1930 ~ 2014 It is with both sadness and gentle acceptance that we acknowledge the passing of our mother and grandmother, Barbara Marcelene Montgomery (nee Schawalder) on April 10th, with her family at her side, at the age of 83. Over the past two months, she fought a courageous battle to overcome a pituitary tumour. Her fight was quintessential Barbara. For thirty years she lived with Parkinsons and arthritis but didn't let that stop her from getting up in front of an audience to read her poetry or hosting her family and friends. She was raised with her parents, Kathleen Marie Schawalder (nee Carpenter) and Ernest Schawalder and sister, Sylvia, in the rural area east of Lethbridge. Life was hard in the 1930s but evenings with family and friends were a short walk across the field to a fiddle party. Going to school on the other hand, meant a long trip into town which, as a teen ager, she made on her bike. Her father was very insistent that his girls would get an education and so, she went on to complete teacher's training at the University of Alberta. She met the love of her life, Joseph Claire Montgomery, before she went to university. They both worked at Eaton's and were members of the YMCA and Southminister United Church. Those years were full of her fond memories during which she and Joe established friendships to last a lifetime. Waterton was a favourite destination for the group, skiing and especially the midnight dances at the dance hall. It was in Waterton where Barb and Joe spent their snowed-in honeymoon, early April, 1953. In the 50s and 60s, the family expanded with three children, Lee, Joe and Bill and Barb and Joe moved into the house where she would spend the next 52 years. While her kids were young, she balanced substitute teaching, with driving a carful of kids through white outs to ski at Westcastle or she would don a babushka to sweep out the cabin, ""Creekside"", where the family would spend the annual summer vacation at the ranch, in the foothills between Waterton and Pincher Creek. Barb is survived by her three children, Lee, Joe (Shelley Thompson), Bill (Michele), her four grandchildren, Courtney, Robert, Madeline and Tate Montgomery and her extended family, Rafael Moreno, and Taylor and Jordyn Thompson. She is also survived by her sister Sylvia Mae Laughren (Graham), sisters-in-law, Phyllis Branch, Shirley Bogda and Kathleen Montgomery and on Barb's mother's side, Frances Riviere and on her father's side, Betty Palmarchuk (nee Schawalder) and their respective families. Her volunteer activities at Southminster United Church and Parkinsons kept her fully engaged and active. She kept abreast of politics, world events and especially the family, keeping everyone connected. Right up until Christmas, 2013 she hosted her annual party and family dinners. She honoured any occasion with her attention to the small details and matching adornments. Barb touched many, many people throughout her life with her bright mind, easy conversation, sage advice and natural teacher qualities. She leaves them all with the memory of a gracious, thoughtful and considerate soul. A Celebration of Barbara's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH, 1011-4 Ave South, Lethbridge, with Rev. Ruth Preston Schilk officiating. A private family graveside will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends wish, memorial gifts in Barbara's memory may be made to either the Southminster United Church Memorial Fund (1011 - 4th Ave. Soouth, Lethbridge,T1J 0P7) or the Parkinson's Society of Southern Alberta (1254 - 3rd Ave. So., Lethbridge, T1J 0J9).