In Loving Memory Of
Barbara “Barb” Diane Tarnowski
Barbara “Barb” Diane Tarnowski (nee McDonald), resident of Grande Prairie, AB passed away with family at her side, on Thursday, September 19, 2019, in Edmonton, at the age of 67 years.
Barb was born in Winnipeg, MB, on March 11, 1952, to Gordon and Ann McDonald, the third oldest of eight children. Barb’s family moved to Grande Prairie when she was still a child. There she grew up and spent the rest of her life. She attended the Grande Prairie Composite High School and graduated in 1970, obtaining a certificate in Cosmetology during this time. Barb worked at the Nu Palace Café where she met her lifelong friend and husband, Andy Tarnowski. They married on December 2, 1972 and were married for 46 years until Andy’s passing.
Barb loved flowers and worked as a designer at Rose’s Flower Shop and Marcy’s Flower Shop for over 20 years. You could always count on Barb to produce a beautiful arrangement, every time, for whatever the occasion. Her love of flowers extended to her hobby of attending courses where she would create exquisite pictures made of dried flower petals. Barb also enjoyed camping and she and Andy delighted in many holidays and weekends joined by family and friends, driving to Two Lakes and quading into Kakwa Falls.
Barb’s nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews meant the world to her. You could always count on her to be at their birthday parties, family gatherings and any occasion that included her in their lives. Many weekends Barb would have her nieces and nephews over to her home for sleep-overs and kept on the tradition with her great-nieces and nephews.
Barb will always be remembered for her spontaneous laughter, her love of life and her spunky and plucky attitude. She was a social butterfly, enjoying family and friends to the utmost.
Barb will forever be in the hearts of her brothers: Sandy (Sheila) McDonald and Don (Kellie) McDonald; sisters: Marie (Bob) Froehlick, Joanne McDonald, and Jackie (Mark) Graunke; sisters in-law: Marg Tarnowski and Pauline (Dennis) Smith; brother in-law Alex (Maryanne) Tarnowski; niece Shannon (Shannon) and their son Hudson; niece Ferrin (Aaron) and their son Cohen; niece Charlie (Steve); niece Erin (Joe) and their children: Owen, Jacob, Reese and Adam; nephew Clinton (Carley) and their children: Kypton, Lux and Mia; niece Jessica (Errick) and their children: Ethan and Krystal; niece Shauna (John) and their children Anjoulee (Levi), Samantha (Rick) and son Chase; nephew Shamus (Brittnay); nephew Dana (Chelsey) and their children: Hannah, Amy, Devin and Cayson, nephew Ben; nephew Cole; nephew Troy and his son Mic, niece Lorie (Doug); nephew Trevor; niece Leanne; niece Cymantha (Mike) and their children: Walker, Cyerre, Carol (Don) and their daughter Ceder; nephew Brennon (Kaitlin) and their children: Jas and Riana; nephew Scott; and nephew Jordan.
Barb was predeceased by her husband of 46 years Andy; parents Gordon and Ann McDonald; sister Carol and brother in-law Alex Durrant; and brother Andy McDonald.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at 11:00am, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.).
Memorial donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society (#204, 10134 97 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7X6) or to the charity of one’s choice.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barbara Barb Diane Tarnowski..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta