Barbara Karen Furst

“the most wasted of all days is one without laughter” ~ e.e. cummings

Barbara Karen Furst (75) — a graceful and witty soul — passed away on March 5, 2023 with her steadfast and loving husband, Dag Furst, by her side. After a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease, she leaves behind many adoring relations and friends, including her children Jennifer & Thomas; sister, Sharon Durie; daughter-in-law, Sarah-Jane Lusina; and grandchildren, Ryder & Stella.       

Barbara was born on May 5, 1947 to Stella & Ronald MacDougall (deceased). She grew up in the rural beauty of Manitoulin Island and memories of this place brought her great comfort in her final years, especially that of her parent’s general store and swimming in the lake at their summer cottage. 

Barbara was truly an inspiration for her younger sister, Sharon, and was able to teach her many life skills and pass on her knowledge of many important things. Things like a wet dish cloth stings more on the legs than a dry tea towel (guess who was washing the dishes!) And that being the person who hides in ‘Hide & Seek’ is not all that fun if no one is looking for you. And learning to drive a stick shift can be hard on the neck but sure can cause gales of laughter. Laughter was such a big part of what they shared together.

Barbara ventured to Sudbury for high school, where she strengthened her independent, capable nature. She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree at the University of Toronto along with cherished friendships. In Toronto she met Dag, her beloved husband of 54 years. In the early 70’s Barbara and Dag lived in Norway where Barbara demonstrated her incredible talent for languages, effectively applying her clever humour in Norwegian. She also mastered her mother-in-law’s recipe for traditional rosinboller (raisin buns), which were endearingly renamed ‘grandma buns’ as they became a snack time staple for Ryder & Stella. 

When back in Canada, Barbara and Dag made a happy life in Rossland where Jennifer was born. Barbara was heavily involved with an accomplished theatre group and had major roles in “The Mouse Trap” and “Blythe Spirit”. The Fursts welcomed Thomas to the family soon after they relocated to West Vancouver. Barbara became close friends with other mums in the neighbourhood, sharing child care and enjoying many play dates at the warm West Vancouver beaches. Even after the kids were grown, Barbara and her friends would gather to celebrate their birthdays, eat great food, exchange silly gifts–coining themselves “the Birthday Bunch”. 

As little tots, Jennifer and Thomas, were quite content to be pulled in the “pulk” (ski toboggan) while mum and dad traverse the Nordic trails. On the school grounds, Barbara’s famous baking was great trading material for junk food she’d never buy. Barbara was a practical, deeply caring mother. She set high but achievable expectations of her children and supported them unwaveringly in finding their own paths. She always added extra fun and laughter to family traditions, like hiding your birthday presents and making you play “Hot & Cold” to find them.

Barbara warmly welcomed Sarah to the family and happy memories were made picking wedding dresses and preparing for grandbabies. Barbara shared a very special bond with her grandchildren. She taught them precious and powerful lessons in love, compassion, and connection.

After Barbara’s career in education, she and Dag retired to the Sunshine Coast where Barbara’s bliss was to swim and kayak in the sparkling ocean. She was an avid reader, savvy crossword player, talented writer and quilter, and loved playing word games with friends. Dag and Barbara enjoyed traveling with many trips to Norway, Peru, Hawaii, and Mexico. On the trip of her lifetime to the Galápagos Islands, Barbara was fittingly proclaimed the queen of their boat. Indeed, Barbara was an elegant queen, even if she only owned a dollar store tiara (how many photos do we all have of her posing with a plastic rhinestone headpiece in jest?!). 

The family is forever grateful for the compassionate and skilled care of an in-home support worker, the VCH older adult mental health care team, the Hope Centre, and especially The Village Langley care home staff. 

Barbara will be dearly missed, but she will always be kept close in heart and her traditions and love will live on. 

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the West Vancouver Yacht Club. RSVP: https://forms.gle/qwj6vLwzUXrbMgvp7. Family flowers only. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia.