May 29, 1946 - October 29, 2019
Barbara Anne LeWarne (nee Lee) quietly passed away on October 29, 2019 in Vernon, BC after a courageous battle with cancer.
She is survived by her loving husband Gregg, daughters Suzi (Michael) and Trish (David), grandson Matthew, step-children Lanette and Buck, step-grandsons Austin, Chris (Marissa) and Boyd, sisters-in-law Marg, Ev and Joan, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relations. She is predeceased by husband Robert; siblings Jack, Gord and Betty; and in-laws Evelyn, Hugh, Ruth, Fred, Lorne and Wilfred.
Barb was born May 29, 1946 to Jesse Isobel (nee Blair) and John Ormsby Lee in White Rock, BC. While attending White Rock Elementary and Semiahmoo High, she met many lifetime friends. After briefly living in Vancouver and attending business school, she travelled across Canada and settled in Montreal in 1966. In Montreal, she met her future husband Robert Smart.
In 1972, Barb and Robert moved to White Rock where they raised their daughters Suzi (1973) and Trish (1975). In hopes of new opportunities, the family moved to Toronto in 1985. Always, there was an open door and a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at the ready - Sunday night dinners became a memorable ritual. After Robert's death in 1999, Barb continued to have a very active life in Toronto while working at CIBC.
In 2008, she reconnected with an old high school friend, Gregg LeWarne, and in May 2009 they married and have been living in Vernon, BC ever since. She spent a very happy retirement with Gregg travelling, working on their new home and garden, volunteering with the Vernon Garden Club as well as camping throughout BC. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family.
Celebrations of Life will be held in Vernon and the lower mainland in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the North Okanagan Hospice. Special thanks to Dr. Mohamed, Dr. Pienaar and the North Okanagan Hospice for making Barb's last days as comfortable and peaceful as possible.