Barbara Jean (McWha) Cyr was born in Pouce Coupe, BC on February 17, 1930, the daughter of Clifford Ellis McWha and Cora Alma (Wallis) McWha. She received her education in Pouce Coupe and Dawson Creek, BC, graduating Grade 13 from Dawson Creek. Growing up, Barbara was considered a tomboy who would escape outside whenever possible. Knitting and counting stitches was not for her. She was known to bag a few rabbits with her .22. After graduating, Barbara started her career with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Pouce Coupe. Through the years she also worked in Winnipeg, MB and Yorkton, SK, where she retired. Barbara met Vic Cyr, who was a member of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp in Dawson Creek in 1954. They were married on September 22, 1954. The couple welcomed their daughter, Merrilee Erin in June, 1955. In 1957, the family was transferred to Winnipeg and their son, Richard was born in March, 1958. The family resided in Winnipeg until Vic's transfer to Camp Borden, ON, moving in June, 1966. That same year, in October, they transferred to Soest, Germany. The family returned to Canada in June 1969 and resided at the base in Rivers, MB. The Base closed in 1971 and the family transferred, for the last time, to the Radar Base at Whitespruce, SK, just west of Yorkton. Vic retired in 1976 and the family moved to Yorkton in January that year. Barb and Vic bought their house on James Avenue in December 1976, where many a party with friends was had. Barb loved to travel, so their various campers and buses put on many miles. Pouce Coupe was always considered home and they would go home every summer. Vic and Barb made a tour of the Alaska Highway in 1999. They parked their trailer at Fishing Lake for many years until Vic passed away. Barb was a member of the Eastern Star and the Royal Purple. She was very active in the Royal Canadian Legion as Membership Chair. She called the "Meat Draw" on Fridays and Saturdays and was well known for her jokes and storytelling. Barb was an animal lover and a great supporter of the Yorkton SPCA. Her pets were her "kids" as she grew older, most of them coming from the SPCA. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Vic Cyr in June 2007 and her son, Richard Cyr in May 2012. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Merrilee (Bob) Grunert of Kelliher and daughter-in-law, Debra Cyr of Edmonton; grandchildren Dan (Kate) Grunert of Regina, Jennifer Grunert of Melville, Trevor (Karen) Cyr of Edmonton and their daughter, Daphne Violet Cyr and Shannon Cyr of Edmonton. Mom will be greatly missed by all her family and friends for her effervescent personality. A Memorial Service was held to Celebrate Barbara's life on Saturday, October 10, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Jen Dresser officiating. Poetic tributes included "Footprints" and "I Am With You Still" and a congregational prayer of the 23rd Psalm. Reverend Dresser led members of the General Alexander Ross Branch #77 of the Royal Canadian Legion in funeral rites. A Reception followed in the Legion Hall. A Private Family Cremation Committal will take place at a later date. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
