Obituary of Barbara Lynne COLLISTER (nee McKinley)

February 5, 1953 – Dinsmore, Saskatchewan
May 25, 2021 - Water Valley, Alberta

Barbara Lynne Collister, beloved wife of Douglas McConnell Collister of Water Valley, AB, was taken from us suddenly on May 25, 2021, at the age of 68 years. She was a beautiful and loving person - unassuming, humble, kind, gentle, strong, and principled.

Barbara was born on February 5, 1953, in Dinsmore Saskatchewan. She was the second child of James Archibald McKinley and Geraldine Moore McKinley. Barb resided in Wiseton, SK and then Neepawa, MB before moving to Winnipeg, and then to Elie (just west of Winnipeg). She attended John Taylor Collegiate High School in Winnipeg and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Commerce Degree in 1975.

Barb met her husband Doug at a wedding in August 1976. They were married a year later in Winnipeg on August 6, 1977. After a honeymoon in Europe, Barb and Doug took up residence in Calgary.
 
Barb was the first female graduate from the Master of Business Administration program at the University of Calgary. She specialised in Management of Public Institutions and, after graduation in 1979, joined the team that built the original Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. She enjoyed a long career as a Project Manager for Alberta Health Services and retired in 2016.

Doug and Barb lived in the Calgary neighbourhood of Lakeview for 32 years. In 2012 they moved full-time to Owl Ridge, their 114-acre property near Water Valley, AB. Barb was very proud when she and Doug placed a conservation easement on Owl Ridge in 2018. Only an hour away, Barb maintained strong connections with her Lakeview friends.

Barb was a dedicated mother and cared deeply for her family. She adored her two sons Ethan Douglas (born April 7, 1983) and Thomas James Moore (born March 3, 1988). Barb fell in love instantly with her granddaughter Freya Lee (born October 15, 2020).

Barb was selfless and caring. When her sister Marilyn became terminally ill Barb nursed Marilyn through her last year of life. Barb supported her sister-in-law Grace and her family prior to Grace’s passing, and she helped her brother Rob recover from knee surgery. Barb was a loyal friend. Although she was always ready to embrace new acquaintances, Barb cherished her long-time friends, some going back to her early years in Manitoba. Barb’s friends knew she would always be there for them.

A voracious and eclectic reader, Barb was counted on by her Lakeview book club to provide substance at meetings. Many of her conversations with friends and family would start with “What are you reading?” Barb appreciated art and never missed an opportunity to explore a new museum or gallery. She was proud of her own modest art collection.

Barb was an active member of the MnM Outdoor Club. She hiked throughout Kananaskis Country and the mountain National Parks and served in various capacities on the MnM Executive. She was also a knowledgeable naturalist and was particularly interested in wildflowers and hummingbirds.

An accomplished photographer, Barb expertly photo-documented the adventures that she and Doug enjoyed together visiting natural and cultural wonders around the world. She also acted as photographer for several important family functions. Two of her particularly fine images will be published in Black and White magazine in 2021.

Barb made several beautiful quilts for family and friends including a bedspread showcasing cloth that she collected during a trip to India. Her latest unfinished project was a quilt consisting of table-cloth patches from Ethan and Andrea’s wedding.

Barb had a green thumb. She cultivated vegetable gardens at her homes both in Lakeview and at Owl Ridge. With help from friends, she also created an alpine rock garden at Owl Ridge which became more beautiful and complex with each passing year.

While Thomas and Ethan were growing up, every summer vacation was spent at the McKinley family cottage on Lake Winnipeg at Matlock, MB. Barb treasured sharing her Manitoba roots with her children. Gatherings will be greatly diminished without Barb’s quiet sparkle and “from scratch” culinary skill.

Family history, not just her own, entranced Barb. She loved cemeteries and enjoyed several trips with her mother visiting historical sites in Europe. Upon her passing, Barb had nearly completed a family history on her maternal side. She was proud that her Nana, Evelyn Luella Moore Ames, was inducted into the Manitoba Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Besides her loving husband of 44 years, Barb is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Ethan Douglas Collister and Andrea Lynn van Vugt of Calgary, AB; Thomas James Moore Collister and Whitney Lee Collister; and granddaughter Freya Lee Collister, all of Airdrie, AB.

Barb is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Robert James McKinley and Bonnie Johnson McKinley of Winnipeg; two sisters and their partners, Valerie Dawn McKinley and George Reeves Sewart of Winnipeg, MB; and Carol Elizabeth Puszka and Peter Edward Puszka of Red Deer, AB; three nieces, Christine Margaret McKinley (Greg) of Winnipeg, Evelyn Victoria McKinley also of Winnipeg, MB, and Sharley Jayne Puszka of Grande Prairie, AB; and three nephews, Daniel Mark Geddes of Vancouver, Colin Andrew McKinley (Michelle) of Winnipeg, and Joshua Peter James Puszka of Edmonton. 

Barb is also survived by members of Doug’s immediate family; brothers, Darryl, Paul, Mike and sisters, Alison and Ainsley and their partners; twelve nephews and nieces; and ten great-nephews and nieces.

Barb was predeceased by her parents, Geraldine Moore McKinley and James Archibald McKinley; her sister Marilyn Anne McKinley; and her sister-in-law Grace Louise McKinley.

If desired, memorial donations can be made to Plan International Canada Inc., Legacy Land Trust Society, or the Alberta Wilderness Association. 

Barb’s family would like to thank Inspector Kyle Juneau of the Calgary Unit Southern Region Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services and the Alberta Bear Response Team led by John Clarke and John Elias for their professional and empathetic help and support.

A Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB). Coffee to follow until 3:00 pm. Subsequently, everyone is welcome to gather at Owl Ridge near Water Valley, AB (one hour drive from Chapel of the Bells) from 4:00 p.m. into the evening. For the gathering at Owl Ridge, please RSVP to alisonrn@telus.net. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Barbara's service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. 

We ask that if you are not feeling well, or for any other reason feel you may pose a risk to others, to please not attend the celebration or gathering at Owl Ridge. 

In living memory of Barbara Collister, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by Mcinnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel Of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, Ab T2e 2v6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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View Barbara Collister's Memorial Card Here