We Remember

PARFITT, Barbara Jean – UPDATED LIVESTREAM INFO

September 2, 1939 — February 3, 2023

Barbara Jean Parfitt, age 83, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 3, 2023, in the Sun Pointe Village retirement home in Kelowna, BC. Barb was born in Vancouver, BC to Leslie and Jessie Stephens in 1939. From an early age, she developed a love for animals with a particular affinity towards horses. She would spend long hours during her teenage years doing anything necessary around veterinarian Paddy Cameron’s local farm, practicing and working to fund her love of horseback riding and to afford a horse of her own.

After graduating from Kelowna Secondary School, Barb was offered a job at CKOV, the local radio station, where she would meet her future husband. While in Kelowna, Barb gave birth to her first child, a beautiful baby girl. A new opportunity for work would beckon the young family north to a town on the mighty Skeena River in Terrace, BC. It was there that roots were planted, and together they welcomed an additional four children, three boys and, a girl.

During her time in Terrace, Barb worked at the local hospital. At home, she nurtured and raised her children in addition to caring for the family farm, which of course included horses. Barb was a relentless worker, a loving mother and, an avid equestrian. She was tireless in her efforts to provide a good life for her kids and always made sure there was enough food on the table for her growing family. Times weren’t always easy for Barb, but as the family’s matriarch, she always greeted each day with a stoic optimism and an unbending will to do the best she could by her kids. Barb has instilled these values and a tenacity for life in her kids and family. She also passed on her passion and love for art and animals. In her later years, when she wasn’t helping her children raise their ever-growing families, she was paintbrush in hand creating stories on saw blades, animals on rocks, and love in our hearts.

Barb is survived by her children Wendy Parfitt, Chris Parfitt, Dianne (Jim) Laird, Rob (Tracey) Parfitt, and Stephen (Lannea) Parfitt; and grandchildren Kyle, Jarred & Cole Meek, Kayleigh Stephens, Terralyn Zylstra & Holly Parfitt and Ryan Laird, Jamie Trelenberg & Taylor Chamberlin, and Alyssa Bergen & Chad Parfitt, and Lily & Declan Parfitt. She will also be missed by her sister Peg Lowther and her many great-grandchildren.

Donations to the Central Okanagan Food Bank in lieu of flowers would be very appreciated.

A Celebration of Life will be held on FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, in the chapel, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. A reception will follow. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

Service
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2033, at 1:00 PM

Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC

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Central Okanagan Food Bank Link: www.cofoodbank.com

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for PARFITT, Barbara Jean – UPDATED LIVESTREAM INFO is scheduled for FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2033, at 1:00 PM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

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Condolences

  • Perry Tweddle says:
    February 14, 2023 at 10:23 pm

    So sorry for your loss Chris and family.
    Perry Tweddle

    Reply
  • Pat White says:
    August 1, 2025 at 10:38 am

    To Barb’s family – we just found this message (August 2025) that Barb passed away a couple of years ago. We are so very sorry for your loss. Although we understand in her later years she was not well, it is never easy to lose a loved one – especially Mom! We have many fond memories of Barb when both our famiiies had young children in the early 1960’s to 1970 when we left the north. We had two children at the time and later four, Barb had five! Jack and I would stop by for a visit with the family and Barb would often invite us to stay for a meal with them. Barb also often babysat for us when our babies were little, even though she had her own five. She would say, what’s a couple more! Barb certainly did love horses and had a few when living in the Terrace/Cedarvale area. They were beautiful animals, but a lot of work. I guess when you loved them as much as Barb did, caring for them wasn’t work. In the spring the horses would be pretty frisky after being kept in the barn most of the time during our long winters with lots of snow. One spring day Barb was exercising her horses, and I thought I’d like to ride one of them. Barb picked one she thought would be the calmest for me to ride. Well, it must have known there was rookie on its back as it soon decided to kick up its heals and of course I went flying off – had a few bruises for a while. Even back in the 60’s Barb liked to paint rocks and we still have a little family of turtles she painted on rocks and gave to me. Barb’s mother liked to sew, and one year Barb asked her mom to make some Christmas stockinngs for Jack, me and our daughters. We used those stockings for many Christmases, but now they are getting fragile, so they are attached to the back of newer Christmas stockings. Barb also loved dogs, and we recall for a time the family had a couple of Basenjis which we thought were really interesting little dogs. They don’t bark but rather sort of yodel. Barb was always very busy with work, her growing family, cooking ad baking, gardening, her animals, and would amaze us with all she could do and still have time to paint rocks! We lost contact in our later years, but we never forgot her. She was an amazing woman – strong and independent. She adored her childlren. She loved all animals but especially her horses. In spite of having very busy life, Barb always made time to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She was just a very beautiful, kind woman! Rest in peace Barb.
    Hugs forever, Pat and Jack White oxox

    Reply

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In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

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I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

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Jacquelene Bluschke

I liked the personal treatment given to my mother who is 97 years old. As her representative, I found Springfield employees pleasant and sincere, helpful and knowledgeable. Something I didn’t know, was that the funeral home would help me get through the paperwork need at this time. I am very thankful for that.

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Randy Hatanaka

Thank you to your team for your kindness to me at a very challenging time.  You have now taken care of both of my parents with professionalism and care.

Nancy Farran

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