Barbara Florence Hansen (nee Bell)

November 1, 2017 12 Condolences Print Obituary Send Flowers

16 August 1951 – 27 October 2017

Our beloved Barb (nee Bell), wife of Wayne, mother of Trevor and Jenny, grandmother of Monique and Natalia, sister of Jim Bell, sister-in-law of Shauna Mandlis, aunt of Nicole Mandlis and sister-in-law of David and Bev Hansen, has passed away. Numerous other relatives, neighbors and close friends from childhood, school, work and social groups are also left to mourn. She was predeceased by her parents, Doug and Eunice Bell.

Barb was a true life-partner to her husband, practicing her gentle arts at home and traveling extensively with him to six continents. She loved her children and grandchildren, making all things better.

Barb worked first as a nutritionist at the provincial level, then as a senior manager at Alberta Health, retiring in 2009. She was dedicated to this work and valued her ongoing contacts with colleagues.

She pursued many outside interests during work and retirement years, at all times remaining genuine, helpful and self-effacing. She especially enjoyed reading novels, watercolor painting, art classes, quilting, BBC, our cat JJ and connecting with friends.

She will be deeply missed.

Thanks to all her caregivers at the Cross and Royal Alex. Funeral details to be announced later.

  1. Wayne and Family

    I worked with Barb for 10 years at Alberta Health. She was so proud of her two kids and talked often about them, then grandchildren as they came. She was one of those people who truly cared about the people she worked with. It was a pleasure knowing Barb, and when I last saw her making her way to the Butterdome Craft Sale, she shared a hug and a long chat. She will be missed!

    Nora Johnston

  2. Dear Wayne and Family
    I am sending heartfelt condolences to you all at this most difficult time. I worked closely with Barb as her admin assistant for several years at Alberta Health when she was Executive Director and can attest to her gentle nature, as well as her kindness and caring for people. We enjoyed many lunches and laughs together. I will always keep those times in my thoughts and pray that God will provide comfort to you all at time. Love Deb Lakusta

  3. Our deepest condolences to you Wayne and your loved ones. This was a big and very sad surprise to Richard and me. Barb always had a very special place in my heart and I tear as I write this message. Bigs hugs from us. Thinking of you….

  4. Dear Wayne, Jenny, Trevor, Monique and Natalia,
    I’m so very sorry to hear about your loss. Barb was a wonderful woman, a good friend, and a very caring mother, wife and grandmother. She was also a very dedicated and inspiring dietitian. I send my prayers to you and I will miss her.

  5. Dear Wayne and family
    Heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I worked with Barb for several years at Alberta Health and always found her to be such a caring compassionate person. I have very fond memories of our branch potlucks, BBQs and Christmas parties that Barb and you attended. Barb will surely be missed.
    My thoughts are with you.
    Barb Lawrence

  6. Dear Wayne and Family
    I was so sorry to hear about Barb’s passing. I worked with Barb for several years at Alberta Health and I was so very grateful to her for hiring me on secondment to lead pandemic planning at a time when I very much needed a job change. I had no health experience and she very patiently taught me what I needed to know to get the job done. She was very gentle and caring and created a very positive work environment. Her love of family and of travel was so evident. She will be missed by many. Take good care.

  7. Wayne and Family:
    I was fortunate to work with Barb for a number of years at Alberta Health. She was a very warm and caring individual who advanced public health initiatives with her gentle but focused approach. I took a few moments to look through comments she provided on my performance assessments when she supervised me and was reminded of how supportive and encouraging she was with her colleagues. I know that times spent with family were very dear to Barb and forged a lifetime of wonderful memories. Вічная Память – Memory Eternal.

  8. So sorry for you loss.
    Barb was such a lovely lady. I so admired her work and dedication to promoting nutrition. She had such a kind heart. She was a caring, smart, professional lady. I feel fortunate to have gotten to know Barb over the years. She will be greatly missed.
    Thoughts and prayers to her family during this sad time.

  9. Dear Wayne and family,
    I was blessed to have worked with Barb at Alberta Health for several years. Barb was kind and compassionate, with a love for life.

    She will be missed.

  10. Dear Wayne and family,
    My deepest condolences. I was blessed to have worked with Barb at Alberta Health for several years. Barb was kind and compassionate, with a love for life.

    She will be missed.

  11. Thinking of Barb’s family and friends today as you celebrate the life of this beautiful lady.

  12. I was sick at heart to hear of Barb’s passing, as noted by Bob Fritch on Theresa Whittaker’s Legacy. I can’t believe that the two friends that helped make my growing up in the Highlands , from kindergarten on through High School . And so close together. My mind is so full of memories. Bob Fritch named so many of the ones within a city block radius, that made that time so special.

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