It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Barbara Orvis, on August 16, 2018 at age 83.  After a hard-fought battle with cancer and other health issues, Barbara was ready to sleep and at the end she slipped away quietly.

 

Barbara was born in Winnipeg in 1935 to Marie Pankiw and Eric Jorgensen and spent most of her 83 years here being a homemaker and mother of six. Lucky us, we never had to come home to a cold or pre-packaged meal. Mom was a great cook and we benefited. Even in her later years, if you visited, she tried to feed you.

 

Although not well-educated Mom was book smart and had a quick wit and great intelligence. If anyone had a question or a problem, it was Mom they went to for answers. No one would ever guess that she had a grade 8 education. She got her smarts from reading voraciously and remembering what she read.

 

Barbara greatly enjoyed playing cards and hitting the casinos with friends and socializing, no matter the reason, and people were happy for her company. She especially enjoyed her Tuesday afternoons at her seniors club at Bleakhouse playing Bingo, going on excursions and chatting with friends.  There is not a person who ever met my Mom who did not see what a special wonderful woman she was. Barbara also loved a good dirty joke and had many to tell. Her sense of humor and her kindness will be greatly missed.

 

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, her husband Rod Orvis and her son Henry Wolfe. She is survived by her five remaining children Sandra Fleming, Catherine Blyth, Daniel Wolfe, Dean Wolfe and Tom Orvis. She also leaves many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, too many to mention but all had a special place in her heart. Barbara is also survived by her siblings Eric Jorgensen and Adele Domish.

 

Special thanks to the nurses and caregivers of Victoria Hospitals 5th floor for the care and attention given to Mom in her final days. Great gratitude is given to IDC Cremation & Funeral Planning for their compassionate guidance in the time of our grief. 

 

Cremation has taken place as per Moms wishes and there will be no formal service.