With deep, profound sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Barbara Joanne de Groot (nee Kelly), while surrounded and comforted by her husband and children.

Barbara was predeceased by her father and mother, Gordon and Beverley Kelly; She is survived by her husband Jon of 35 years; children, Sparrow and Adam; and her sister, Sue (Mark).

She was born in York, Ontario and raised in Etobicoke where she became her parent’s greatest Christmas gift as she arrived home from the hospital on Christmas eve, 1960. She had a good and memorable childhood filled with loving memories.

Spreading her wings, she ventured off to Victoria BC where she attended UVic (81-85) earning a BFA degree in Theatre. She often spoke fondly of those days living in campus residence, making cherished friends, and attending campus and beach parties. She even became Resident Advisor one year; proudly so. Playing Dungeons & Dragons with her newfound friends during this time was special to her, and being the only female Dungeon Master on campus made her so proud.

In 1986 she enrolled at BCIT, majoring in Marketing and HR Management, where she met her future husband while living on campus, and won him over with love and homemade choc-chip cookies. She married the lucky fella on August 2, 1991, in New Westminster BC at Robson Manor, and Honeymooned in San Francisco.

Barbara (Elaryia) and her husband lived for several years in New Westminster, where she joined Stage 43 Amateur Theatre. This brought her so much joy, and she brought joy to the communities through her performances. She was especially fond and proud of her role as Lily in Lily, the Felon’s Daughter.

Barbara Elaryia’s passions were partaking in theater productions, reading, writing, and travelling. She often could read a novel a day, and for a few years took part in the annual writing contest – writing a novel in three days! She enjoyed baking, felting, rug hooking, and shopping, as well as making visits to the SPCA with her children and husband, teaching the kids compassion for animals. She also enjoyed attending the big musicals, especially Les Misérables, which she saw several times in Vancouver. When it comes to her all-time favourite tv show, MASH, no one was a bigger fan! A fan since she was 13 years old, she knew every line of every episode.

Some of her travels over the years included Mexico, Egypt, Russia, Argentina, Antarctica and Alaska, and the many trips to Toronto, Kelowna and Leduc to visit our families. She also enjoyed her mini-vacations with her husband at Wedgwood Manor – Crawford Bay, and at Windermere Creek B&B Homestead cabin.

Some of her memorable travel moments she spoke of included her time in Russia in her youth, where she crashed a Japanese wedding party. She was elegantly dressed, leading some guests to believe she was an Austrian Princess. She would joke about how she danced the Bunny Hop at a Japanese wedding party in Russia while dressed as a Princess. Another highlight for her was enjoying every wave through the Drake Passage on her way to Antarctica and having a curious penguin crawl on top of her, as she lay on the ice, and remove wool from her toque. She enjoyed all her travels.

She moved to Cranbrook BC in 1994 where she and her husband raised their children, whom she so adored and loved so much. On special occasions she would always try to give just the right gift, often making and/or personalizing them. Seeing her family’s joy gave her joy. In the early years she chose to be a stay-at-home mom, always advocating for her children, making sure they got the help they needed in school or at home, going along on their school outings, and baking cupcakes for the whole class on special days. She was so proud of her children. During the Cranbrook days she got involved with amateur theater for a while and became a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, where she made some very dear friends. It was at this time that she, unofficially, changed her name to Elaryia; the name she loved to be called by. She also volunteered at the Foodbank with her son, and at the annual Spooktacular at Fort Steele for several years as one of the main characters in the haunted house. As well, she and her two-year-old daughter volunteered at Fort Steele in the Mather House, giving tourists guided tours.

Barbara Elaryia and her husband enjoyed celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in Dawson City while staying at Bombay Peggy’s Inn, in the Lipstick room – the room Jack Black stayed in while filming there! She was in her element, dressing in her Victorian/Edwardian style dresses and hats, doing the can-can as she entered through the swinging doors at the Downtown Hotel. A year later she went on a four-month excursion back to Dawson City where she worked as a night auditor for the Downtown Hotel.

We will miss her quirky sense of humour, her bright smile, and seeing her love for us in her eyes. We will always remember her love for her family, including our “fur family”. She was a Beautiful soul, and a Wonderful Wife, Mother, Daughter, Grand-daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend. She will be sorely missed by her family, extended family and friends. Your family and friends will forever love you and remember you, Barbara Elaryia… ALWAYS.

A celebration of life will take place in Victoria BC and will be announced once a date and time are confirmed. Family and friends will be notified.

In leu of flowers, please give a donation to the SPCA, or to a local amateur theatre group in Barbara’s name. Barbara Elaryia and Family thank you.

mcphersonfh.com