Paula Ethel Barham

It is with great sadness that our family acknowledge the passing of our dearest and most beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Paula Ethel Barham (Rostant).

 Paula, age 88 years, was born on January 26, 1931 in Tottenham London, United Kingdom, to parents Dr. Leonard Rostant and Maud “Peggy” Rostant (Parsons) and two brothers Joseph John and Leonard Jr. Rostant.

 Paula passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Patrick Stang, in Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan, Canada.

 Paula was predeceased by her husband, infant son, and grandson-in-law, Cecil “George” Barham, Andrew John Barham, and Andre Cote, respectively.

 She is survived by five daughters and two sons – Diane Barham (Perry Eastman), Patrick and Elaine Stang, Carol Barham, Bobbi-Jo Barham, and Alex Barham and Valerey Lavergne; twelve grandchildren – Lisa Cote, Christopher Reed, Jason Barham (Christine Barham), Avery Lavergne (Natalia Melot), John Blok (Amanda Blok), Mathew Barham (Jessie Grondin), Janna Fortino (Jospeh Fortino), Taryn Stang (Karl Blanchard), Nathalie Barham (Guy Price), James Stang (Crystal Gall), Jesse Stang (Megan Stephan), and Melanie Barham (Joseph McHugh); and nine great-grandchildren – Micheline, Braden and Daisha Cote, Jeremy McHugh, Kaydence Stang, Julian Fortino, Alexander Blok, Lily Barham, and baby Blok on the way.

 Paula moved to Canada from the UK when she was 15. Her mother had recently passed away and her father was serving in the war. She relocated to Montreal, Quebec where she lived with her Aunt Cecile (Rostant). In Montreal Paula completed her education with business courses, preparing herself for a career working in a variety of establishments during life serving both the private and public sectors. In her twenties, Paula travelled to western Canada to Jasper, Alberta where she met and fell in love with Cecil “George” Barham, future husband and father of her six children. Paula and George moved back to the UK, were married, and started a family. They lived in England’s southwest for a time, choosing later to move back to Canada where they settled in Ottawa, Ontario raising their growing family – Diane, Elaine, Carol, Bobbi-Jo and Alex.

 Paula was an avid traveller. She travelled throughout Europe and Asia, to Australia, parts of the United States, to South America, and explored most of Canada. She enjoyed indulging in and appreciating the arts, from dance and theatre, to music and contemporary art. She was an avid reader, enjoying mystery novels and biographies the most, and she maintained close bonds with all whom she loved through dedicated penmanship. Paula had a knack for giving the most beautiful gift cards, an activity of devotion she exercised regularly, as an expression to those near and far how deep her affections moved for them. Paula was a regular volunteer at the White Elephant table for her community’s annual fair-share, and she donated generously to the Canadian Cancer Foundation and Diabetes Association.

 Above all, Paula was a devoted grandmother, great-grandmother, mom and friend. Everyone who knew Paula recognized her kindness, grace, and hospitality. She was fun and charming, a woman with class, at times wild, a true young-at-heart. She loved cats and teddy bears, French lavender, and was a woman who took pride in her time and deeds. She was an excellent cook, baked delicious diabetic desserts, told great stories, had a compassionate ear, and was a talented and busy creative knitter. Cute as a button!

 Paula is deeply cherished and will be greatly missed. With utmost love and honour, we thank her.