Obituary of Donnalene May Barber

Donnalene May Barber, known as Donna, was born on her family’s homestead north of Sedgewick, Alberta on February 9, 1930, the youngest child of John and Amanda Stenson. When Donna was young the family moved to their farm south of Kinsella and she grew up there, attending Lake Vernon School until she moved to Edmonton to finish high school, living with her older sister Violet Nelson and attending Garneau School in Edmonton, Alberta. She spoke fondly of watching films at the Garneau Theatre in Edmonton, and enjoying the rare treat of french fries with her girlfriends after school. After finishing high school Donna returned to the Kinsella area. She spent a short but enjoyable period of time living near Provost and serving as a classroom supervisor at a one room schoolhouse in the area. In 1948 Donna married Simon Harold Barber and moved to Irma to start a family with him. Their first son Kenneth Harold (Ken) was born on May 5, 1949, and followed by Donna Fay (Fay) on March 16, 1951 and their youngest Jerry Dale on April 29, 1959. Donna’s first priority was her children, and she worked hard as a homemaker and mother for her family. In her younger years Donna enjoyed curling, golfing, participating in Cubs and Scouts when her son Jerry was young, as well as participating in Royal Purple among many other community activities. Donna and Harold were able to enjoy many years together, and took memorable trips with their children to visit family in Quebec, Ontario, California and Oregon. Harold passed away in 1981, and after his death Donna took on the responsibility of running the Irma Pool Hall and bottle depot until the early 1990s, and in doing so became a well known and well loved fixture in Irma. After her children were grown Donna was able to continue her love of cooking, and often overfeeding her family by taking care of her children, their spouses and her grandchildren Amanda Pedel, Thomas Pedel, Travis Pedel, Hailee Barber and Jerrison Barber. She became a grandmother not only to her own grandchildren, but also their friends and always kept the freezer well stocked with Eatmores and Kit Kats, and an abundance of other treats for any who stopped by. She loved animals of all kinds, and spent more than 18 years caring for her beloved cats Cookie and Penny, and the more recent addition to the family, Noah. Donna took great pride in her family, and loved to hear updates on how their lives were going and everyone's individual adventures. She was delighted to have yet another generation to enjoy with the addition of her great grandchildren Mitchell, Cindel, Casey, Chandell, and Jordyn. Donna fulfilled her wish to remain living in her own home which she had built with her late husband Harold until just days prior to her passing thanks to the assistance of her eldest son Ken who lived with her and cared for her in her later years. Donna was able to spend her final weekend surrounded by her family, who feel incredibly grateful to have spent her final days holding her hands, playing her music including Elvis, gospel tunes, and the soundtracks from musicals she loved watching with her family including Oklahoma and South Pacific. She was able to enjoy cups of green tea, ice cream, and feel the sun on her face. On Monday May 30, 2022 Donna passed away peacefully with her family holding her hand as she lovingly left this life and passed onto the next. She lived and died with a strong faith in God, and while her family will miss her always we are eternally grateful for all she gave us, and the time we had. Donna was predeceased by her mother Amanda and her father John, her siblings George, Earnest, Theodore, Melvin, Evelyn, Walter, Henry, Harlan, Violet, Freddie and Arthur, her husband Harold, and many other family and friends. She is survived by her children Ken, Fay (Dave) Macdonald, and Jerry (Lenore) Barber, grandchildren Amanda (Alan Thomson) Pedel, Thomas Pedel, Travis (Josie Hahn) Pedel, Hailee (Conor Holash) Barber, and Jerrison Barber, as well as her great grandchildren Mitchell (Raven Tanton) Moody, Chandell Karl, Cindel (Johnny Harray) Moody, Casey Pedel and Jordyn Pengelly. A graveside service for Donna will be conducted on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the Irma Cemetery, Irma, Alberta at 2:00 PM. All who are wishing to attend are welcome, the service is open to the public. Following the service, Donna's family invites you to join them at the New Horizons Hall, Irma, Alberta for a time of fellowship and refreshments. If so desired, the family suggests any memorial contributions made in Donna’s name be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation.