BARBARA (BARBE) ANN PARKE Obituary (1964 - 2024)

Born Apr 13, 1964, BARBARA (BARBE) ANN PARKE attended Sisler High School in Winnipeg, MB. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Barbara (barbe) Ann Parke.

Graduation Year	Class of 1982
Date of Birth	Apr 13, 1964
Date of Passing	Dec 09, 2024
About	BARBARA (BARBE) ANN PARKE 1964 - 2024 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara Ann Parke on December 9, 2024. Barbe, as she liked to be called, was born on April 13, 1964, at the Misericordia Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She attended Florence Nightingale School, Sisler High School, and later Red River College, where she graduated as a Registered Veterinary Technologist. In 1986, Barbe began working at McLeod Veterinary Hospital, where she spent 37 years passionately caring for animals. She was incredibly proud of the work she did, demonstrated through the love she had for her coworkers and every animal she attended to. In her younger days, she was an avid cyclist and often rode to work, sometimes with her daughter, Willow, in tow. As Willow grew, they spent weekends riding their bikes down the Wellington Crescent and Wolseley pathways. Barbe loved animals, and her home always had a cat or two roaming around. Over the years, many cats were loved, the most recent being Twig, who passed in June 2024. She was also passionate about being a vegan, a lifestyle she committed to for all of her adult life. Barbe was well known for her vegan baking, especially her brownies, which were famous for tricking even the most skeptical into enjoying vegan treats. Barbe often said that creating art kept her sane. She found joy in adorning the walls and shelves of her condo with her creations. A multi-medium artist, she explored sketching, painting, clay, papier-mâché, collage art, and anything else that inspired her. She also loved reading books of all genres and listening to music, passions she passed on to Willow through years of bonding over songs and stories. Barbe was a natural DIY-er, always tackling projects in her home with skill and creativity. Her greatest love was her daughter, Willow. Barbe was immensely proud of her and everything she did. The last couple of years were difficult as Barbe courageously fought through her ALS diagnosis. Incredibly strong and fiercely independent, she wanted to do as much as she could for herself until the very end. Barbe will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Willow; her twin sister, Marie Parke, and husband Gary; her sister, Gloria Van Styvendale; her brother, Allan Parke; and her niece, Nancy Van Styvendale, and husband Al; granddaughter Ella and the incredible Quigley family. She will also be remembered by numerous other relatives, friends, and coworkers. Barbe was predeceased by her parents, Rudolph and Sophie Parke (1998); and her brother, Robert (Bob) Parke (2006). At Barbe's request, no formal service will be held. Instead, Willow asks that any memories or photos be shared with her privately at: memoriesforwillowparke@gmail.com and encourages donations to the ALS Society of Manitoba through their website (https://alsmb.ca/donate/). In Barbe's memory, hold the ones you love extra tight, listen to your favourite song, or adopt a pet in need of a warm and loving home. "Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen ETHICAL DEATH CARE Cremation & Life Celebrations 530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg 204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 21, 2024