Barbara Elaine Would

  General Notes:

As the third child of four, Barbara grew up to be independent and
forthright. She was always creative and artistic even thinking (at age
seven) she'd be a ballerina someday. You have to know her to enjoy the
humour in this! She was exceptionally shy as a child, always hiding
behind her mother for family photos but she blossomed in high school to
become a solo vocalist for the school choir, play lead rolls in
operettas, become editor of the school paper and a member of the
cheerleading squad, and win awards for public speaking. Sports were
never her forte, however, bowling was a rewarding pastime.

Barbara moved to Calgary after graduating university and there, one dark
and stormy night, she met Dennis Schaefer, an RCMP constable who came to
her rescue when her car broke down. They were engaged ten months later
and married ten months after that. Two transfers and a dog later, the
family grew by two children. Rearing Paul and Gillian to become the
remarkable adults they are is her proudest achievement.

Barb was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1998 but has been cancer free
since then. She invests her time and her spirit in artistic pursuits and
in helping others fulfil their artistic dreams. Her paintings are in
municipal and private collections throughout Canada.

  Noted events in her life were:

• Education, 1963-1968, Rutland, B.C., Canada. Rutland Secondary School

• Education, 1969-1972, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. University of British Columbia - B.A. {Fine Arts}

• Employment, 1972-1974, Calgary, Alta., Canada. Union Oil of Canada - Draftsman

• Employment, 1974-1975, Calgary, Alta., Canada. The Lombard North Group - Graphics Draftsman

• Employment, 1976-1991, Drumheller, Alta.; Fort McMurray, Alta.; St. Albert, Alta. Special education teaching assistant.

• Employment, 1986-present, Ft. McMurray, Alta.; St. Albert, Alta. Painting instructor, Professional artist.

Barbara married Dennis George Schaefer, son of Carl John Schaefer and Anne Sophie Rithaler, on 26 Apr 1975 in Calgary, Alta., Canada. (Dennis George Schaefer was born on 2 Jan 1948 in Broadview, Sask, died on 5 Jan 2006 in St. Albert, Alberta and was buried on 20 Jan 2006 in St. Albert, Alberta.). The cause of his death was Cancer.

  Marriage Notes:

Barbara and Dennis met Labour Day weekend 1973, when Dennis stopped his RCMP cruiser on the Trans- Canada highway near Calgary to check on Barb's car that was broken down.
They were engaged on July 6, 1974, and married in Calgary on April 26, 1975. Their reception (dinner and dance) was held at the historic Wainwright Hotel at Heritage Park on the shores of the Glenmore resevoir. It was a great party!