In Memory
Barbara Hughes
September 19th, 1962 - June 6th, 2023
Born in Winnepeg, Manitoba
Passed in Irricana, Alberta
Barbara Hughes, Born September 19, 1962, of Irricana AB passed away peacefully on June 06, 2023. Barb grew up in Calgary, AB and eventually moved to Irricana in January of 1999 where she lived until she passed. Barb loved to spend her time creating art, coloring, sketching, painting, playing piano, singing, spending time with her pets, camping and swimming. Barb will be dearly missed and always remembered by many friends and family.
Barb was predeceased by her mother and father Barbara and Don Sinclair. She is survived by her two daughters Julie and Hannah Hughes, her brother and sister in law Dane and Anne Sinclair, her cousin John Goodman, her former husband Darryl Hughes and of course her two kitties Pippy and Isabelle. We will be having a celebration of life as opposed to traditional funeral services. We hope for you to join us in celebrating her beautiful life at Irricana Lions Community hall on June. 29th at 2:00 pm.
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Betty Blanchette
1 year ago
This goes out in memory of my best friend and platonic spouse.
Barb was my best friend of more than 30 years. I'd been crying from the moment Julie told me she was gone. Because I didn't speak at her service Julie asked about it. The bottom line was I knew I couldn't get up there and hold myself together and all that would've done would've upset our girls Julie and Hannah.
We shared all our joys and childhood memories as well as our pain and sorrows. We cried on each other's shoulders almost as often as we laughed at life. I know everything there is to know about her family and former friends but they needn't worry if they have things they prefer not repeated because I would never ever repeat anything she told me in confidence...and there was plenty said because Barb was a woman who loved to talk just as much as she loved to live and breathe and as much as she loved her girls and endless dogs, rabbits and cats. That's because she's the most loving soul I've ever known. She was beautiful inside and out.
Being the oldest of 8 and always put in charge of keeping them out of trouble, and rescuing nieces, nephews and friends when necessary as well as raising a second generation, I got pretty good at understanding and helping kids. Soon after Barb was separated, Julie was being difficult for some reason so I asked her why she was being so mean to her mother...by that time Barb had already been sick for a long spell. Julie said she didn't know why. A moment later she asked me if something happened to Mom, would I take her and Hannah. I told her of course I would but not to worry cause Mom might be sick but she'll be around for a long time. Thats when I realized Julie was so young but very fearful she'd lose her Mother. That was 20+ years ago. Despite all her illness and extreme pain she made it long enough to raise her daughters.
After that day, Barb started asking me to talk to Julie and Hannah when they got out of line and she was losing the battle with them. Thank God they loved and respected me enough to listen to me...most of the time.
So, 3 years ago Barb and I went together to our doctors office which was packed that day with many people we knew and suddenly Barb looks at me and says, very seriously, something like, you and I are more like spouses don't you think? We both talk to the kids when there's trouble or praise needed and we share absolutely everything, good and bad. My face turned red because we weren't gay but, she was sooo right. The reason my face reddened was because the people their didn't know us and likely got the wrong impression. Of course when I realized what she was talking about I was no longer embarrassed.
The best part was, she was right. We relied on each other emotionally and in every way possible that a couple does, including helping handle each others children.
I'm very proud to call her both my best friend and platonic life partner. ❤️ My heart is breaking because never again will I know someone as wonderful as her.
I think the biggest disappointment we both had was that she wanted to meet her mother and possibly any other family from there. I told her I was pretty sure I could find her...and I did. A few weeks later after she'd gone through all the necessary red tape she was informed her mother wasn't interested in a relationship or even meeting her. She was so broken hearted. So I reminded her that part of the reason for finding her was for her health background information. She didn't get much out of her. She was deeply hurt and I've never been angrier.
I'm sure the siblings that came later in her mothers life would've loved to get to know her. Oh well, the loss is truly her Mother's.
Barbara Helen Hughes will be greatly missed by all of us who cherished her. My health is much like Barbs but I look forward to the day we meet again.
My heart goes out to Julie and Hannah but they both know they have my full support and I'm just a phone call away.
I'll miss you till the end my friend. Rest peacefully and don't worry about the girls, there are a few of us looking out for them. Especially me because they're like my own girls. So you just rest.
Barb was my best friend of more than 30 years. I'd been crying from the moment Julie told me she was gone. Because I didn't speak at her service Julie asked about it. The bottom line was I knew I couldn't get up there and hold myself together and all that would've done would've upset our girls Julie and Hannah.
We shared all our joys and childhood memories as well as our pain and sorrows. We cried on each other's shoulders almost as often as we laughed at life. I know everything there is to know about her family and former friends but they needn't worry if they have things they prefer not repeated because I would never ever repeat anything she told me in confidence...and there was plenty said because Barb was a woman who loved to talk just as much as she loved to live and breathe and as much as she loved her girls and endless dogs, rabbits and cats. That's because she's the most loving soul I've ever known. She was beautiful inside and out.
Being the oldest of 8 and always put in charge of keeping them out of trouble, and rescuing nieces, nephews and friends when necessary as well as raising a second generation, I got pretty good at understanding and helping kids. Soon after Barb was separated, Julie was being difficult for some reason so I asked her why she was being so mean to her mother...by that time Barb had already been sick for a long spell. Julie said she didn't know why. A moment later she asked me if something happened to Mom, would I take her and Hannah. I told her of course I would but not to worry cause Mom might be sick but she'll be around for a long time. Thats when I realized Julie was so young but very fearful she'd lose her Mother. That was 20+ years ago. Despite all her illness and extreme pain she made it long enough to raise her daughters.
After that day, Barb started asking me to talk to Julie and Hannah when they got out of line and she was losing the battle with them. Thank God they loved and respected me enough to listen to me...most of the time.
So, 3 years ago Barb and I went together to our doctors office which was packed that day with many people we knew and suddenly Barb looks at me and says, very seriously, something like, you and I are more like spouses don't you think? We both talk to the kids when there's trouble or praise needed and we share absolutely everything, good and bad. My face turned red because we weren't gay but, she was sooo right. The reason my face reddened was because the people their didn't know us and likely got the wrong impression. Of course when I realized what she was talking about I was no longer embarrassed.
The best part was, she was right. We relied on each other emotionally and in every way possible that a couple does, including helping handle each others children.
I'm very proud to call her both my best friend and platonic life partner. ❤️ My heart is breaking because never again will I know someone as wonderful as her.
I think the biggest disappointment we both had was that she wanted to meet her mother and possibly any other family from there. I told her I was pretty sure I could find her...and I did. A few weeks later after she'd gone through all the necessary red tape she was informed her mother wasn't interested in a relationship or even meeting her. She was so broken hearted. So I reminded her that part of the reason for finding her was for her health background information. She didn't get much out of her. She was deeply hurt and I've never been angrier.
I'm sure the siblings that came later in her mothers life would've loved to get to know her. Oh well, the loss is truly her Mother's.
Barbara Helen Hughes will be greatly missed by all of us who cherished her. My health is much like Barbs but I look forward to the day we meet again.
My heart goes out to Julie and Hannah but they both know they have my full support and I'm just a phone call away.
I'll miss you till the end my friend. Rest peacefully and don't worry about the girls, there are a few of us looking out for them. Especially me because they're like my own girls. So you just rest.
Dawn Mattis
1 year ago
Barbara, always had a smile or saw the light or funny side to things. I can still hear her laugh. Will miss my dear friend. A lesson in life to never put off till tomorrow my friends. Love to you Barbara, until we meet again and another crazy adventure. So many great memories❤️
Steph Kat
1 year ago
Barb was such a unique and lovely soul. I am so sorry for your loss.