Obituary of Barbara Ruth Gentry

The family of Barbara Gentry is saddened to announce her passing on March 6, 2023, after a very brief stay at Quesnel Hospice with her daughter at her side. Barb fought a long and tough but very brave battle with cancer. Gladly she was able to spend most of her time in her own home. Barb was born in Vernon BC on October 12^th, 1939, to John and Vera Peters. Barb is survived by her husband, Lewis Gentry. Barb is also survived by her only child, Patty (Glen) Apps, 3 grandsons, Cody (Lauren) Apps, Darby (Amanda) Apps, Dylan (Amy) Apps and 6 great grandchildren, Brynlee, Colton, Bentley, Aurora, Joey, and Noelle. Barb has one surviving sister, Laurel Hanson and several nieces and nephews, David Peters, Kelly McPherson, Roberta Mitchell, Aaron McNeil and Carly Paterson. She was predeceased by her parents and 2 previous husbands, brothers Jack Peters and Bruce McNeil and one nephew, Dwayne Mitchell.  

Barb met her first husband, a navy man, Buck (Robert) Lavoy, in Esquimalt, BC. She moved to Buck’s hometown, North Battleford, Saskatchewan where they welcomed their only child, Patricia Lynn. Following Buck’s early passing Barb moved to Chilliwack and eventually met and married Harry Derksen. In 1990 and on her 50^th birthday Barb married her current husband, Lewis Gentry in Chilliwack. 

Mom was such a creative, talented person with many artistic abilities from ceramics, painting, wedding cake design, scrapbooker, paper crafter, sewer, cross stitcher and so much more. She made so many creative keepsakes for her family and many friends. Mom was amazing at home décor in the many homes she renovated as well as the 3 homes that she had built. She was an active board member for years of the Chilliwack Arts Council. Her careers over the years span television work, CHWK radio work, court judge assistant, administrative assistant in narcotics division of RCMP and finalized her career in the newspaper business at the Chilliwack Progress Newspaper. 

Mom was the life of any party in her early days. Always the fun one to be around. She was the consummate entertainer and loved to throw great house parties including the best kid birthday parties for Patty. Christmas was always a big deal at her home!  

Retiring early with Lewis, Mom enjoyed sailing the west coast ocean waters and RVing south in the winters. They traveled across Canada from coast to coast. She loved taking her 3 grandsons for sailing and boating adventures all along the west coast and Vancouver Island every summer. She was a member of the Rowing Club at Stanley Park and then Ladner Yacht club.  

When Patty and Glen decided to move to Quesnel, Mom and Lewis were moving too and arrived in Quesnel permanently in 2006. She continued with her crafts after moving to Quesnel and made some good friends here. Mom even tried riding around the area on the side-by-side trips. To her joy, Mom became a great grandma to Brynlee in July 2015 and lovingly welcomed 5 more precious great grandchildren, Colten, Bentley, Aurora, Joey and then Noelle over the past 6 years. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joy of her life. She loved them all so much. Although she did claim those 3 grandsons gave her many grey hairs with their daring hobbies. We were so happy that Mom was able to meet Noelle in November 2022. While ill it was her goal to be able to meet her last great-grandchild.  

A service of remembrance will be announced in the spring. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Barb’s name to BC Children’s Hospital as well as the BC Professional Firefighters Association Burn Fund.