Barbara Cecelia McKenzie Providence
Mrs. Barbara Cecelia McKenzie Providence, affectionately known as “Sis” and “Barbs,” of Fair Hall, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, entered into paradise on April 16th, 2025, at the age of 72 surrounded by her loving family.
She is reunited in spirit with her beloved parents, son, and siblings: Enoch and Olivia McKenzie, Andrew Providence, Frederick McKenzie, Leon McKenzie, and Veronica Burke—each of whom were always close to her heart.
Left to carry on her love and light are her beloved husband, Osborne Providence, and her cherished children: Jihan (Teanna), Yonique (Derrick), Kevin (Kareen “Suzy”), and Fitzroy (Tammy).
Barbara took great joy in her role as a grandmother to six grandsons and thirteen granddaughters.
She also leaves to mourn her beloved siblings:
Brothers: Vernon McKenzie (Jennie) – St. Croix, George McKenzie (Lorraine) – Montreal, Ishmael McKenzie (Martha “Betty”) – Edmonton, and Alfred McKenzie (Elizabeth “Betty”) – Florida.
Sisters: Germin Wyllie (Charles) – Florida, Laurel Drayton (Patrick) – New York, Jennifer Joseph – New York, Bernadine Providence (Jerome), and Roxey Bobb (Benny) – Edmonton.
Sisters-in-law: Velma Providence – St. Vincent, Vianney Providence – Edmonton, and Pastor Beryl Providence – Trinidad.
Brother-in-law: Wendell Providence
Uncle: Hazel Bobb – St. Vincent
Aunt: Lillian Bobb – Edmonton
She is also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, extended relatives, and cherished friends including:
Errol Poyer and family (Trinidad), Leonara Sandy (Holland), Christa Wilson and family (Arnos Vale), Norma Jack (Villa Flat), Ann Ambris (South Wood), Christina “Steffy” Pompey (Murray’s Village), Pastor Kenrick Shallow and family (Fair Hall), the Free family (Sion Hill), the Cumberbatch family (Green Hill), Anita James and family (Barbados), Miriam Davis (Maryland), Estelle John and family (England), Ethel Prince and family (Edmonton), the Providence family (Choppins), the Prescott and John families (Evesham, Cane End, and Carriere), Theodore Browne and family (Cane Garden), and the Bryon and John families of Edmonton and Calgary.
She will be greatly missed by the members of Fair Hall and Park Hill Church of God in St. Vincent, as well as the communities of Fair Hall, South Wood, Calliaqua, and Belmont. Pastor Roger Stewart and the members of Journey Church of God, Edmonton. Numerous friends in the Edmonton area including Marlene Ecceles, Janice Agard, and Pauline James. Friends and colleagues at Greater Edmonton Foundation Kiwanis Place and Skills Society.
The Homegoing Service for Mrs. Barbara Cecelia McKenzie Providence, affectionately known as “Sis” and “Barbs,” will take place on Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at Grace Point Church of God, 720 62 St SW, Edmonton, Canada at 11 a.m.
For those who would like to pay their respects, a viewing will be held at 10 a.m.
Following the service, interment will take place at South Haven Municipal Cemetery, 5004 Meridian St NW, Edmonton.
Those wishing to view the service via LiveStream, may do so by accessing the following link: https://youtube.com/live/dppdyV0HQmY?feature=share
Continue to rest in eternal glory aunty Barbra 🙏 I loved you in life also in death ❤️💔❤️💯🙏
May you rest in peace and enjoy the spoils of heaven. My deepest condolences to her family. We’ll all meet again.
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Barbara Providence entire family and loved ones. She will be greatly missed by so many who hold her near and dear to their hearts, myself included and will never be forgotten. Rest in eternal peace Barbs.
I express my deepest sympathy in this time of grief. The Bible gives a comforting hope that your loved one will soon come to life again on a beautiful paradise earth when death will be no more in John 5:28, 29.
Sincerest heartfelt condolence to the families of my schoolmate Barbra ‘Sis’ McKenzie Providence. I am still shell shocked right now. She was a joy of a person to be around. Never saw her angry, always playful and smiling. Knew the whole family on the mother’s side but not the father’s. She lived a Godly life so she will will again. Bye my friend
My, my, what a lady, what a friend and a Vincentian to the bone. I miss our chats and the laughter. We both hated those green critters that think they are family in SVG. 😊
Rest on my friend. If heaven can be any brighter, you have surely lit it up one hundred fold. My heart felt condolences to Osborne and family.
Though we know heaven has welcomed a very special woman of God, our hearts still feel the sorrow.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved. She was truly a beautiful soul—full of light, love, and a spirit that radiated kindness. Her cheerful presence, her caring nature, and her willingness to help others in any way she could have left a mark that will never fade.
As you grieve, may the God of all comfort be your strength.
May her memory forever bring peace to your hearts and smiles to your faces, even through the tears. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.
Barbara was so loving and gentle! I didn’t spend a lot of time around her but, she left a lasting impression on me.
I respected and loved her very much and I know she’s in no pain and no suffering now.
May her beautiful soul RIP
On behalf of the whole James family, we send our heart fill condolences to all of her family members. May she have eternal love andl peace in gods loving arms. RIP you will be missed.
God has taken you out of your pain and suffering, rest in his bossom auntie sleep well. My deepest condolences to the Providence family at this time it is well with her soul🙏🏿
Condolences to Baker,and rest of the Mackenzie and Providence family
May Sis continue to Rest in Peace. She will be surely missed.
Dear Osbourne and all the Providence’s whom we love so dear! Barbara will never be forgotten and we thank God for the way she inspired us and all the lives of so many others! What a legacy she leaves behind! We have so many beautiful memories of her – especially her deep and abiding faith that was so evident! May God comfort you all and bring much grace and peace in the days ahead!
Sis as I have known you, kind hearted and loving was very easy to talk to. God see you was tried and wanted you home for your rest with him, your dad mom and your brother 🙏 you sure not going to be lonely may your soul rest in perfect peace with him..And for your husband kids sister’s and brother’s all who mourn may God give you comfort and strength to go on and remember all the good times you all have 🙏
My deepest sympathy on the passing of this beautiful soul affectionately know to me as Sis P. You have always been an amazing person to me and not only to me but my family, your passing has left a void that will not be able to fill. As you take your rest in the Heavenly Father name 🙏 I pray that your family members will be comforted. Love ❤️ always from Coldrick Byron and family St. Vincent.
My deepest sympathy to the mckenzie and providence family, may her soul rest in peace.
Gone but will always remember.
My condolences to you will miss your calls RIp in the lord
You all are in my Prayers and thoughts with my deepest sympathy. May Barbara’s sweet soul rest in peace and rise in glory and may light perpetual shine upon her. May God give you all the strength and comfort to deal with everything and to support each other.
May Barbara rest in eternal peace. My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love and support that surrounds you, and may cherished memories bring you peace in the days ahead. 🤗
Goodbye to my dear friend and colleague, Barb. We met at work, but it didn’t take long for our friendship to grow into a bond that felt like family. Barb was a truly loving and caring soul, always ready with a kind word, a warm smile, and an unwavering positive spirit that lifted everyone around her.
I will always remember her kindness, her laughter, and the way she made people feel seen and valued. Her presence was a gift in my life, and her memory will forever remain in my heart.
Affectionately called “Nenny”, you have been one of the dearest godmother known to me. From childhood your interest was filled with love, kindness and a heart that never ceases to ensure all is well. I will miss you dearly nenny. May you rest in the arms of the one who loves you best. My sincerest condolences to the entire family. May the Lord cover and uphold you with His gracious right hand. Shalom!! ❤️
Please accept our sincerest condolences 🙏 I will always remember the good days we had. She was a wonderful person and who she was, will live on as her life stories are shared to this generation and the next.To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. May God grant all her family and friends His eternal peace.
Heartfelt Condolences to the Mckenzie/Providence Family. My family and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved Barbara Mckenzie/Providence. Our heart goes out to you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the cherished memories, love and legacy she leaves behind. Wishing you strength and peace in the days ahead. With deepest sympathy
It was with a deeply sad heart I learnt of the passing of Sis…I knew Sis from time eternity, matter of fact, the McKenzie, Providence, Byron and John’s family grew up in the small villages of Choppins/Fair Hall and we all grew up more like family.
Sis was always kind, loving, giving and friendly. She reached out to all and sundry and had a real knack identifying people who needed assistance. Her family and the people she surrounded her life around were her life. Sis was always laughing and one cannot be around her without cracking up with laughter. Sis, the John’s family loved you in life and we are all looking forward to be reunited with you some day…you will be truly missed…our condolences goes out to Baker, the children and the rest of the family circle…RIEP and light perpetual will surely shine on you.💖
May God bless your soul and grant you eternal peace and happiness in heaven. Our sincere condolences and prayers for your family at this difficult time.
It is with a heavy heart that I offer my deepest condolences to the Providence Family at this time. Barbra was a beautiful soul, may she Rest in Peace.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Barbara’s passing. Her kindness, generosity, and dedication to others, especially children, are qualities that will be remembered and cherished. During this time of grief, please know that my thoughts are with you. May you find comfort in the cherished memories you hold and in the knowledge that Barbara’s spirit continues to inspire and uplift those whose lives she touched. With heartfelt sympathy.
Condolences to Baker and the entire family. May Sis RIP.
Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.
The Parsons family in Winnipeg 🙏🏾
Condolences to the providence family.
May your love one rest in peace. And may the family find strength in each other.
One day at a time.
Today, I stand to give tribute on behalf of a kind, sweet, charming, smiling angel in the name of Barbara Cecilia Mackenzie Providence, whom the Lord has called to be with his saints in glory. Let me also give my sincere condolences to her husband, children, family, and friends from Ingrid Charles and family in Georgetown, St. Vincent.
I was introduced to Barbara in 1978 through my pen friend Laurel, who took me to her home and introduced me as one of her friends to her family. In 1979, after the volcanic eruption, Barbara became one of my friends when Laurel took me home to live with her family. That experience forged a close connection that I will always cherish. From that moment on, I never felt like a stranger. I felt like family.
Barbara “Sis”, as we affectionately call her, was like an older sister to me. She was never shy to offer advice, whether it was about how to study, how to make my parents happy, or simply how to navigate life. I remember being asked to stay indoors while she and the others enjoyed the moonlight outside. Sometimes she would gently remind me that Ingrid, you’re under our care, and as adults, mother and I will have to protect you, especially when your mom isn’t around. I will be forever grateful for her love and care.
In that home, I was never left out. I remembered my first wedding dress. When a family friend was getting married, Barbara wanted me to be a bridesmaid like all the girls, and guess what? She bought me a dress because my mom couldn’t afford one. That small gesture meant the world to me. During my stay at their home, I truly felt at home. Even attending church became something I looked forward to. My only pastime, but one I enjoyed deeply.
After the volcanic eruption, I returned home and kept in touch with Barbara’s family. When they migrated, I continued to cherish their memory in my heart. Years later, while walking in Kingston one day, I saw someone who looked familiar. I walked over, called her name, and yes, it was Barbara. After a few seconds of hesitation, she recognized me and her face lit up with joy. We embraced, laughed, shared memories, and even hugged and cried and hugged and cried. That spontaneous street reunion was truly special.
While we were there, other family members joined and it turned into a joyful celebration right there on the street, a day I will never forget. From that time on, our bond was never broken. We stayed in touch, and I always looked forward to her Christmas visit and gifts, which continued for years.
Barbara was a beautiful, kind-hearted, and given person who touched the lives of everyone close to her. I felt happy knowing that I had a chance to give her flowers and expressed my appreciation during her lifetime when she celebrated her 70th birthday. Thank you, Yonique and Bernadine, for allowing me to be part of that surprise. I can still see the joy on Barbara’s face when she found out what you all had done in her honor. And she called me and chastised me and said, Ingrid, well, you was in the plan also and I didn’t even know. I am so happy, my heart is filled with joy. That moment will always stay with me. When she told me about her health condition later on in life, I cried softly and prayed for her healing each day. I never cease to call her name and lift her up in my prayers.
Though her journey has ended, Barbara will always be remembered. We now bid farewell to a beautiful: Mom, Wife, Sister, Friend, Aunt ,Grandmother
Sleep in peace, our beautiful Barbara. You will forever be in our hearts. May your soul rest in eternal peace and may God’s perpetual light continue to shine upon you.
Barbara, you were someone that everyone would of like to have as a daughter, a sister, an auntie, a wife, a mother and friend; but I don’t know why so short your life have to end. I guess we may never know. or maybe, God have something better for you to do up there in Heaven. Good bye my friend, until we cross, again; In peace rest, rest, rest!