Barbara Jane (Saunders) Cook

It is with immense sadness we announce the death of our beloved mother and wife, Barbara (Barb) Jane Cook (nee Saunders) on May 8, 2024, at the age of 89 years.

Barb was born on August 18,1934, to Howard and Amy Saunders (nee Collins) in Toronto, Ontario. She was an only child until she was joined by little brother David John five years later. Although Barb had some childhood health issues she loved the outdoors, especially her time at the family cottage at Belle Air Beach on Lake Simcoe in Southern Ontario. As an adult Barb would take her four children camping just down the road from Belle Air at Alcona Beach, memories of which are cherished to this day.

Barb also had a love of music something she wholeheartedly passed on to all four of her children. Not only did she love listening and dancing to various musical genres she also had a beautiful singing voice that she shared through various choirs primarily with the United Church where she was always an active and faithful member. In addition to her involvement with church choirs she also ran Bible Studies and helped out in any way possible. Barb’s faith and church community were of great importance throughout her life and finding a church was one of her first concerns when moving to a new area.

Throughout her life Barb worked at positions as varied as key punch operator, real estate sales, truck driver, ending her work life in accounts payable at Esso in Calgary. She worked hard, and with dedication, to whatever she did. Her greatest dedication though was to her family and friends. Nothing pleased her more than to prepare fabulous meals for the people she loved, whether in her kitchen at home or over the barbecue and fire pit out camping. She will always be remembered for her love of family and friends as well as her joy of cooking and baking for both.

In 1981 Barb moved to Alberta where three of her four children had relocated to a year earlier. Settling in Calgary it was there that Barb met her husband of 43 years, John Bowden. Together Barb and John traveled as much as possible usually to visit family and friends from Ontario to Vancouver Island. Although flying was faster, and sometimes necessary, whenever possible Barb and John would make it a road trip camping along the way. John adored Barb and as her health deteriorated he was devoted to her care and well being and was at her side when she passed. 

Barb is survived by her husband John and her four children, Mark (Diane), Leslie, Scott (Marie) and Lori-Anne. Recently described as a “rad chick” by one, Barb is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Marcia Piquette (Barry), David (Izabela), Amy Gammon (Tyler), Amanda, Gary (Gillian), April (Eric), Kenneth, Mark Leavitt (Karlea), and Lisa Leavitt (Lindsay). She is also survived by her 15 great grandchildren: Adrean, Dakota, Kacee, Bruce, Wayne, Taylor, John, Anna, Ally, Eligh, Will, Aislin, Rhowan, Max and Victoria, as well as nieces: Marnie and Naomi, nephews: Darin and Jason, and sister-in-law Audrey.
Barb was predeceased by her mother Amy (1982), father Howard (1986) and brother David (2020). 

In accordance with Barb’s wishes cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held on June 29, 2024, at 2:00pm at McKillop United Church, (2329 15 Ave S in Lethbridge), with a reception to follow.

Live-stream of the service will be available and a link will appear 15 minutes before service time below this obituary. 

Family will spread cremated remains amongst the beauty of Belle Air Beach, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to One Tree Planted for Monarch Restoration at https://onetreeplanted.org/products/monarch-restoration

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jane (Saunders) Cook, please visit our floral store.