Obituary of Barbara Kathleen Olsen

Bell-Olsen, Barbara Kathleen

 

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Barbara passed away suddenly on Friday 18 June 2021. Born on the 12 of September, Barbara lived most of her life in Vancouver, before settling in White Rock.

 

She is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, Tony Andrews; her children, Chris and Kerry Olsen and their father Ray Olsen; step-children Kris (Brenda) and Lindsay (Tony) and grandchildren; Claire, Mackenzie, and Brooklynn.

 

Barbara is predeceased by her parents, Lyall and Kay Bell, and her brother Barry. Together they made up the Four Bells, prominent members of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, and a force to be reckoned with.

 

Barbara commenced a career in real estate and spent several decades working passionately in this field; first as an agent, then a manager, business owner and educator. She loved this job, and even published a book on real estate contract law.

 

Barb, or Barbie, was excellent in a crisis and would do everything she could to help out her family, friends and colleagues. If you needed something done, this was your woman.

 

She also loved entertaining, throwing parties, and celebrations. She spoiled the people she loved in her life, although she did gift her son with the same set of pots and pans two years in a row. We never said she was perfect.

 

More than anything, though, Barbie loved a good joke. We won’t pretend they were always in good taste, but boy oh boy, did that woman love a laugh.

 

Barb chased the sun, and she and Tony were lucky enough to travel and spend time away from dreary Canadian winters each year. We are happy to say she passed on a warm and sunny Vancouver day, her favourite kind of weather.

 

We loved you more than life itself, Barbara Bell-Olsen.

 

There will be a service when our daughter Kerry can come home from Australia.

 

Flowers gratefully declined in favour of donations to the BC Cancer Foundation.