Barbara Mantle

November 17, 1932 - May 7, 2024

In loving memory ~

Barbara Florence Gustavson was born in Calgary, AB to Sven and Dorothy Gustavson on November 17, 1932 and was the oldest of 5 children. Barbara grew up living near the Bow river in what is now known as the Eau Claire area in Calgary. Barbara and her twin sister Annie worked as waitresses at their Auntie Jo's café in Kensington. In the late 1940's the family moved to Vancouver where the family owned an auto court motel for a time.

Barbara and Frank Mantle were married March 19, 1955 and raised four children as they moved throughout the province to places such as Burnaby, Terrace, Hazelton and Prince George. They eventually ended up in Point Roberts, WA for a time before finally settling in Surrey for 11 years. When they weren't busy raising children, Frank and Barbara enjoyed bowling and square dancing together.

In 1972, Frank and Barbara bought an orchard and moved their family to Keremeos where Barbara lived until her passing. Barbara liked to keep busy, whether playing cards, cribbage or bridge, doing crossword puzzles, swimming at the river or in the nearby lake. She liked to shop and loved finding a good deal. In her twilight years, she loved spending time with family, even when everyone was talking loudly and all at the same time, she would sit there smiling, happy to have the family together even if she couldn't hear them.

Barbara is predeceased by her twin sister, Annie, and her brothers Robert and Brian. Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her brother Barry Gustavson (Sharon); her children: Dawn Mantle, Stephen (Arlene) Mantle, Elaine Mantle (Moh) and Gregory (Maria) Mantle as well as her grandchildren Kathryn (Ryan) Preece, Kristie Klassen, Dalton Dupuis (Taylor), Deanna Dunham (Kevin), Craig Mantle, Alyssa Mantle, Stephen Jr, Kelsey Mantle (Tim Cheng), Cassidy Mantle, Christopher Reid, Ashley Reid and 11 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of life will be held at Keremeos Seniors Centre on Saturday, September 14th at 1PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant House Vancouver, 1280 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3P3

www.covenanthousebc.org