Beverly "Barbara" Marie McBride

Beverly ‘Barbara’ Marie McBride (née Clucas) was born on February 29, 1936, on her grandparents’ farm near Hespero, Alberta (starting her life just 8 miles from Riverbend where she would later settle and raise her family). She was welcomed into the world by her parents Jack and Louise Clucas and sister Virginia.

During her early years, Barb’s family lived in Medicine Hat, Calgary, and New Westminster, BC; before settling in Edmonton where they owned a Texaco station. Barb’s father, Jack, was also a Sergeant Major of the renowned Edmonton Regiment, and her mother, a lovely homemaker, worked as a bookkeeper. Barb’s family made several trips to visit her grandparents near Hespero and there became friends with the Browns and the Safrons. Barb and Violet often rode horses together (an activity that later would be replicated by their daughters, Susan and Brenda). Under her dad’s guidance she became proficient at shooting sports, and she also enjoyed horsemanship and played both the steel and acoustic guitars.

After graduating from high school in Edmonton, Barb attended the Vermillion Ag College. She completed her studies there and earned her letters on the college basketball team, even though she was just 5’2”. In 1957 Barb and a college girlfriend travelled to Hawaii to take in an Elvis Presley concert.

When asked what she wanted to do in life, Barb would answer that she wanted to go farming. That part of her life began when she met the love of her life, Bud McBride, while working at the Edmonton Exhibition office. They were married on January 1st, 1959, and moved to Doris, CA where they managed a ranching operation. They returned to Alberta in early 1960 and welcomed their first child, John. Together Bud and Barb purchased the family farm (Riverbend), located south of Benalto, from Bud’s parents, and started their farming and cattle business. In 1963 they had their second child, Susan.

Barb was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was full of energy and made a wonderful life partner to her husband as they pursued goals in both their Angus cattle and farming operations. They enjoyed many successes in their life’s work together. They developed close friendships right at home and around the world as they were prominent members of the Angus Association, having traveled extensively and sold cattle in numerous countries.

She was ready at a moment’s notice to run farm machinery, dress cattle for the showring, or get parts. Her amiable and gracious personality combined with her energy led her to excel at many things. A true keeper of the home, and besides farming, she also started a successful purebred Scottish Terrier business.

Her support for both her husband’s ventures and her children’s interests was second to none. She gave freely of herself to 4-H and various cattle and horse events that came along. She was Bud’s co-pilot in many ways, including beside him in their Piper planes.

Barb and Bud were baptized together in the Medicine River that runs through the family farm, and they served for decades at the Benalto Baptist Church. She has shared her faith and the gospel of Christ, and she radiated it in her caring and serving personality.

Barb was always warm and welcoming to those that visited Riverbend and was cherished in her many roles of wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Words cannot describe how dearly she will be missed.

We are grateful that her long journey through infirmity has ended. Barb had a debilitating stroke in December of 2014 and was blessed with a devoted family and many wonderful caregivers until her passing in December of 2025. Her heart was a ‘well-attended garden’ and was part of her compass in life, for even in this chapter of her stricken body, her grace and warmth remained strong.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers that came alongside us and helped care for Barb and Bud over the 11 years of her frailty. We especially acknowledge the loving support given by Connie, Marlyn, Donna, Sharon, and the Valledor family, as well as the gracious and attentive care of the Bethany staff.

Mom was truly a Proverbs 31:10-31 woman of the Lord. ‘Her children rise up and call her blessed’.

The Memorial Service will be at the Emerge Church, 4290 50 St in Sylvan Lake on Sunday, Dec 28th, 2025, at 3:00 PM