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Lesli planted a tree in memory of Lois Barker
Monday, November 9, 2020
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My heart felt sympathies. So many youthful days spent at the Barker house, & so many laps in the pool! Thanks for the many ways you enriched my life.
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Alex Pike posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Karen and Kim - My condolences to you and your family. Your mom was an inspiration - she didn’t hesitate to put anyone in their place if deserved but she was an amazing support too. I loved her spontaneous laugh as it caught many offguard and lightened many serious moments. I have tried to mimic it in tense negotiations and, while I am not sure I have pulled it off as well, I can imagine that she would have laughed along with me. Hugs to you, Alex Pike
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Theresa McKellar posted a condolence
Friday, September 25, 2020
My memories of Lois go back to our years in Guiding together. She certainly was an inspiration to all of us. I do remember being so surprised that she had her pilot's licence, which I learned about at Girl Guide camp. It seemed to me she could anything she set her mind to doing. As time went on Lois taught our daughter Catherine to swim and he lessons took place in Lois's backyard pool The final time our paths crossed took place at the Fort Erie Race Track when Lois was raising funds for our beautiful YMCA building. Thank you Lois for all your contributions to our town. Please accept my condolences to her family.
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Anne and Gord Howarth posted a condolence
Friday, September 25, 2020
We are so sorry that you are all going through this trying time. Your Mom was one good looking, smart, thoughtful and ahead of her time thinker and it is evident that she passed along these amazing qualities to her 2 very incredible daughters.
COVID has made hugs and expressing our condolences in person not a possibility but please know that we are thinking of you and wishing you well. Time allows good memories to outweigh the sad ones and having a doggie to hug always helps too.
Love ya Anne and Gord
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Sherrystorrey@icloud.com posted a condolence
Friday, September 25, 2020
Deepest Condolences to Lois’ family. I will never forget my time working for her as a YMCA camp instructor. You made sure you did your job well with Lois around. She had a way of teaching us “teenagers” to work hard, follow the rules and have respect. Lessons I have carried with me. May you find peace in many wonderful memories of her.
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Sandy and John White posted a condolence
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Sending our deepest sympathy. Lois was a positive force in Fort Erie. John and Sandy White
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Barb Scott Boyer posted a condolence
Thursday, September 24, 2020
To Lois' Family: Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your Mom. I had the utmost respect for her and the wonderful contributions she made to Fort Erie. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
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Stuart Bolton posted a condolence
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Kim & Karen,
So sorry for your loss.
I remember your mother well. I recall being at your house in Crescent Park for house parties, swimming lessons, and eventually helping her with teaching swimming lessons to the smaller kids. Later on, I remember seeing your mom at the Y, in Fort Erie. It was nice to catch up with her and hearing about you both during these discussions.
She was well respected by the community!
What a life she had!
Stuart Bolton
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Elli MacDonald2dh5p lit a candle
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
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Lois will live forever in our memories truly a remarkable woman RIP
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Steve Hince posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Karen my deepest condolences to you and your family I have never met your Mom but sounds like she was a great women a Mother is always special in our hearts and never forgotten. Take care
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Jay Charlton posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss Karen. Your mother was obviously a truly magnificent woman in all regards.
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Rick Joly posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
My deepest condolences Karen, although I never met your mother I’m certain that she inspired those who did...she sounds like she was an amazing person!
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Mark McRae posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Karen, you have my deepest sympathy! I am tremendously saddened for your loss. The memory of your Mother will give you comfort, and her legacy live through you all!
Mark
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Margaret McAllister posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. You are so lucky to have such an amazing woman for a Mom. All my thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
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Joe Ivey posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Karen, our condolences to you and your family on the passing of your mother, it is apparent that she touched the lives and hearts of many! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you
sincerely Joe Ivey
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Cathy Scott posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
My condolences to you Karen and your family! Your mother was an amazing woman and what amazing memories you have to hold close to your heart.
Cathy Scott
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Mark Selfridge posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
My condolences to the entire family, especially to Karen...your mother seemed like a wonderful lady and a trailblazer!
Mark Selfridge
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Andre Deschamps posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
My relationship with Lois began as my employer, who turned into a wonderful dear friend. I was part of the team she chose to open and operate the wonderful EJ Freeland YMCA facility. I was so proud to be custodial to this vision of hers’ and many others for the betterment of Fort Erie residents!
Lois gave me opportunities for fulfillment in my life, by giving me the freedom to work independently. She had an uncanny way of motivating me with little said, usually something like “do what you think needs to be done.” Her common sense approach to business was infectious to me, remembering phrases like “Keep it simple, Don’t sweat the small things, Hire good staff and let them do their job!” With Lois you always knew where you stood, and that was a good thing!
Many times I would come to her office with a quagmire, and she would say, “got time for a coffee?”, and off we would go to Hy’s restaurant or later, EJ’s restaurant to hammer out issues and problems, or just catch up. Lois always made me feel so important and appreciated, so it was easy to give everything I had to give to my work.
After her retirement, we stayed in touch often. Dinners with ex-Y employees, cutting her lawn and visiting often. Again, she gave me artistic freedom to build her a lovely landscaped lawn, and various other odd jobs along the way. I so enjoyed our many chats about quality TV programs, (Coronation Street!!!!), theater, books, our families and “current events” (certainly not gossip!) So often I raided her little library, and found some terrific gems to take home, later to review with her. I especially enjoyed my visits with Clancy and later Bo, (who I called “Clancy clone”).
Lois:
Certainly my life is diminished with your passing. There is a shadow over my heart and I will miss you greatly my good friend and mentor.
Rest in peace.
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Andre Deschamps posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Kim and Karen - Condolences on the passing of your Mother. She spoke so highly of you often and I was so thrilled at the many accomplishments of yours she shared with me. She will surely be missed.
Andre and Judie Deschamps
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Pamela Mackie posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
No one knew the unspoken and unknown gestures of kindness she gave to so many. She was an incredible support to so many, she was amazing to my daughters and I, in a time I really needed support. I will never forget her. The YMCA was her platform she accelerated so many Into their adult lives , loved her
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Patricia Higgins posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
The YMCA was never the same when she left. May she Rest In Peace. My sincere condolences to her family and all those that loved her.
Pattie Higgins (volunteer)
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Theresa and Mike posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
I had the privilege of knowing Lois through Karen, and what an inspiring person she was, having such a huge impact on so many. Her independence and strength, her passion to do what is right, and her brilliant mind are beautifully emulated through her amazing daughters. Our thoughts are with her family during this sad time.. Theresa and Mike
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Cathy TTyGRJ posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Aunt Lois’s door was always open .... to friends, nieces and nephews and their pets! With respect to the latter, upon being released from the car, they made a beeline for the back door and it wasn’t just the bowl of food on the floor just inside the kitchen! There were toys for the dogs, books for the humans and on the occasions of Easter and Thanksgiving, traditional fixings, gifts and doggie bags. Thank you.
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Jan Graves posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Lois Barker. Although I only met her once, she certainly was highly respected and made her imprint on Fort Erie and the community. One of the best things she did was have Karen and Kim, two girls who follow in her footsteps--making their communities better by volunteering and living full lives. My sympathies to them and to the rest of Lois's family.
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Colleen Messer posted a condolence
Monday, September 21, 2020
Thank you Lois Barker for letting me see you for her you were. You helped me to understand how fair and truthful you were. A few years after you moved on from the YMCA realized how important you were to the YMCA family. Thank you for contributing to our community and touching so many lives. You will be missed
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Cathy (Keir) Spitzig posted a condolence
Monday, September 21, 2020
So sorry for your loss Karen and Kim. This came up in my FB news feed. I remember your mom made the best gingerbread houses. She always let me sleep over when I was in town visiting family as a kid. I have fond memories of her. Lovely lady with a heart of gold.
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Bruce Eidsvik posted a condolence
Monday, September 21, 2020
I was sorry to hear the news of Lois's passing. She was a great character with a wonderful laugh. She took life in stride but that didn't mean that she wasn't committed. I remember the YMCA project as well and it would not have existed without her, it is a great legacy.
I do remember one story that I shared with Karen which Lois had told me. When Kim and Karen were young, like most kids, they would send off letters to Santa. However, they noticed the day before Christmas, that the letters they had written to Santa had not been mailed. They were panicked. Lois thought up a plan B instantly; the best way to get letters to Santa would be to burn them in the fireplace and let the smoke carry the message to Santa. So, that is what they did and then ran out of the house to watch the smoke head north. I just thought that was such a clever trick to turn a negative into a positive.
Rest in peace, Lois.
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Gord Howard posted a condolence
Monday, September 21, 2020
My condolences to Lois's family. I remember as a reporter for the Niagara Falls Review writing about the building of the new YMCA. Yes she could be blunt but she made sure the job got done, and boy was she dedicated to it. It was her project and it's been a benefit to the town ever since. Rest in peace.
Liz Kovacs lit a candle
Monday, September 21, 2020
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My condolences to you all. I remember walking to the house to take my swimming lessons in the summer as a kid, great memories of her and the family
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The family of Lois May Barker uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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The family of Lois May Barker uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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The family of Lois May Barker uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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The family of Lois May Barker uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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The family of Lois May Barker uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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The family of Lois May Barker uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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The family of Lois May Barker uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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