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LISKE, Barbara Jean

September 22, 1949 - May 7, 2014


Our mother, Barbara Jean Liske, was taken from us on May 7, 2014, after a sudden and unexpected illness. Barb was born on September 22, 1949 in Prince Albert. Saskatchewan to Edwin and Hannah Lindoff. The youngest of five children, Mom was also a twin.

Mom grew up in Lake Cowichan, B.C. and moved to Manitoba after she married. Upon returning to Lake Cowichan with her three children, Laura, Mark and Sue, Mom became a devoted, single mother whose main focus was raising her kids. As the kids got older and left home, Mom moved to Nanaimo to start a new life. It was there that she started working at the Nanaimo hospital as a housekeeper. In 2004, Mom moved to Campbell River, where she remained working at Yucalta Lodge until her passing. Mom loved her job and took great pride in her work. The residents of Yucalta were very special to her, and she loved them like family. Mom enjoyed the stories they had to tell, and felt a lot of compassion towards them. As her 25th year of employment with VIHA was nearing, Mom was talking about retiring.

Mom had five grandchildren, Jonathon, Jeremy, Jeffrey, Jessica, and Joshua, who she loved dearly. She had recently proudly stepped into the role of “GG”, to Sophie and Noah, and was awaiting the arrival of the newest great-grandchild due in August. Mom loved being a great-grandma even more, because she used to say the kids had a mom and a grandma, therefore she could just be great. Mom and Sophie were good friends, and anytime Sophie would visit Mom at work, she was taken around to the staff and residents, so Mom could show her off.

Mom was a life-long believer in Christ, and felt it was her duty to teach her children Christian values. Mom was a quiet person who kept to herself. She was not lovey-dovey or mushy, but we knew she loved us. She was a good mother and we didn’t tell her that enough. She taught us compassion, kindness, honesty, and how to work hard in life. She always knew the right thing to say when we had a problem. We will all miss her in our own different ways and she will never be forgotten.

The family would like to thank the paramedics, the staff in CR emergency, dietary, Yucalta Lodge, and especially the ICU nurses. A special thank you to Christy, for being with us when our mother passed. You helped us allow our mother to die with dignity, something our mom so firmly believed everyone deserved. Words cannot express our gratitude to our family and friends for all the flowers, phone calls, prayers, tears and hugs you have given us during this very painful time.

A casual gathering to celebrate our mother’s life will be held at her daughter Laura’s home in Cumberland, B.C. on May 31, 2014 at 1:00 pm.


“Be Still, and Know That I Am God.” Psalm 46:10



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