Obituary of Barbara Stokoe

Barbara Stokoe

(February 2, 1944 - June 15, 2020)

Barbara Stokoe, age 76, passed away in Hospice Care at the Edmonton General Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Barbara was born Feb 2, 1944 to Harry Stuart and Alice (nee Summers) Stokoe in Sale, Cheshire, England. She was the youngest of five children.  Barbara worked as a children’s care giver throughout her adulthood.   She immigrated to Canada in 1968 and sought employment as a Nanny in Ottawa, Ontario.  Her position brought her to Edmonton, Alberta in 1972 and she chose Alberta to be her Canadian home.  Barbara received her Canadian Citizenship in 1979.

The Scott’s, her last employer as a nanny, encouraged Barbara to pursue her diploma in Social Work from Grant MacEwan, graduating in 1994. Barbara worked with Children’s Services in Edmonton until her retirement in 2010 when she moved to reside in Camrose, Alberta. Barbara had many friends and loved ones.  She was a faithful church member, an avid green thumb and a challenging Scrabble opponent.  Her acquaintances knew her to be fiercely independent, and in possession of a sharp wit.  Her chosen Canadian family stretched far and wide with church communities in Stony Plain AB, Nanaimo BC, and Camrose AB. Barbara busied herself in retirement by volunteering for the local Neighbor Aid/ Food Bank organization and coordinating Martha’s Table, a soup kitchen, at St. Andrew’s.  Her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2014 did not slow her down too much but, as the cancer progressed, she stepped down from these roles. 

Barbara was pre-deceased by her sister Doreen; parents Harry and Alice; and two brothers Peter and Edward. She has left to mourn her passing her brother George; former sister-in-law Margaret; numerous nieces, nephews and their children; all in England. She will also be missed by many dear friends.   
At Barbara’s request she has been cremated.  It is the agreement of her family that her remains will be placed next to those of her dear friends, the Nixons.  Inurnment to take place at the Edmonton Municipal Cemetery.

Many thanks to: The Camrose Home Care team, who helped Barbara stay in her home as long as possible;  The staff of 9Y, Mel Miller Hospice in the Edmonton General Continuing Care Center. They have been exceptional during this time of Covid-19 protocols; and, all those who prayed and supported her during her cancer treatment.   Barbara was well cared for spiritually by Rev Jacques Vaillancourt of St Andrew’s Camrose, Reverends Billy Isenor and Aaron Parsell-Myler of St. Augustine’s Stony Plain/Spruce Grove, and the Hospice Chaplains Wenda Salomons and Art Peterson.  
 

No formal public service will be held at this time.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to the Primate World Relief and Development Fund or to St. Andrew's Anglican Church.