Barbara Alice McKay

March 6, 1935 - February 8, 2023
In loving memory ~
Barbara Alice McKay (nee Buckham), of Rossland, passed away on February 8, 2023, at Poplar Ridge Pavilion just a month short of the age of 88 years. She was born on March 6, 1935, in Edmonton, Alberta where she grew up and completed her nursing training.
After her marriage to Donald in 1957, they resided in northern Quebec/Ontario for 4 years before relocating to Rossland. She devoted herself to raising their children in the early years and fostered her love of music by directing the United Church children's choir and, later, participating in the A Cappella Singers and Harmony Choirs. She was involved with the Performing Arts Series and acted as President of the organization for a time. Her disinterest in politics made her an ideal candidate for being an impartial person to lead elections locally and she served as the Returning Officer for a provincial and federal election in the 1990s.
Barbara and Don spent 20 years on the Lower Arrow Lake with their sailboat, Tamarac. They enjoyed many happy hours with family and friends on the lake and were particularly delighted to share the boat with their grandchildren. Their next adventures were with a fifth-wheel travel trailer towed by the faithful old grey truck. With these, they explored locally and through the Yukon and Alaska.
Barbara's greatest joy in life was her family. After devoting herself to raising her younger siblings, she transferred that devotion to her own children and, subsequently, her grandchildren. She leaves her grandchildren with many special memories of times shared - such as on the boat, in the RV, and in the kitchen at their house.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 66 years, Donald; children, Doug (Andrea), Bruce (Wendy), Heather (Christel), Robert (Shelly); grandchildren, Amanda (James), Claire (Mark), Jeanine, Andrew (Amber), Kaitlyn (Jeremy), Emily, Tyler (Jessica), Nathan (Jessica), Braden (Ali); great-grandchildren, Anna, Alice, Nora, Charlotte, Carter, Aleister, Astrid, Max; siblings, Brenda (Jim) Rhodes and David (Liz) Buckham.
Barbara was predeceased by an infant son, Stewart, and a brother, Donald.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lesley Paul and the staff at Poplar Ridge Pavilion for their kindness and compassion in her final month of care. Also, the family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and rehab staff while she was in KBRH previously.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Prestige Mountain Resort on Saturday, April 15 from 1-3 pm. Kole Roth of Clark's Funeral Services has been entrusted with arrangements.
Those wishing to make a donation as an expression of sympathy may do so in Barbara's memory to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Foundation at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.clarksfuneral.ca.

Clarks Funeral