Barbara Jeanne Plumb

Barbara Jeanne Plumb

1949 - 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Barbara Jeanne Plumb on September 25, 2023, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre in Brandon, MB.

Born in Russell, MB on May 21, 1949, she spent much of her childhood in the Binscarth and Birtle areas, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from high school in Russell, MB, and then went on to get her Teaching Degree at Brandon University. Her calling was to teach, and she started her 39-year career at Bowsman School.  She taught in Bowsman from 1969 to 1998, and then went on to Birch River School, where she retired from teaching in 2009.  She then went on to substitute teach in the Swan Valley School Division for another 10 years, and officially retired in March of 2020.  She was a member of the Manitoba Teacher’s Society, and even served as president for a time, and after her retirement she was a member of the Retired Teachers Association. She also enjoyed her time volunteering for the Swan River Ag. Society during the Rodeo.

She married David Kowaluk of Sclater, MB in 1987, and together they had one son, Kevin Kowaluk, in November of 1989.  Together, the three of them spent lots of time travelling to the Rocky Mountains and making the most of life on their acreage near Swan River, MB.  She lived in and around Swan River, MB for over 50 years, until 2022 when she made the decision to be closer to her son in Brandon, MB.

One of Barb’s favorite things was telling stories, especially of her teaching years, and always loved meeting new people.  She had a way of connecting the dots between people, and more than likely, she would have taught a relative of yours somewhere along the line. She touched the lives of many families and could often tell her students in her later years, “I taught your mom and dad, and your grandma and grandpa!”. She also loved curling, gardening, sewing, crocheting baby blankets for her many grand nieces and nephews, and keeping up with her soap operas. She also loved to travel and visit with friends and family.  She would spend lots of time reconnecting with friends and could spend hours on the phone if there were no interruptions.  In Brandon, she loved playing Bingo and Canasta with her neighbors, and spent lots of time watching out the picture window in her new home, counting the deer with her dog, Rusty.

She was predeceased by husband David, parents Thomas and Sarah Plumb, brother Ken Plumb, and nephew Curtis Plumb. She is survived and will be greatly missed by her son Kevin (Julia), her sister Karen (Blane), her sister-in-law Orise, 6 nieces and nephews, and 14 great nieces and nephews. She will also be greatly missed by her Auntie Lorna, and her best friend Lee.

We would like to thank Dr. Chaudry, Nurse Lesley, and all the staff in the ICU at the Brandon Regional Health Centre for their kindness and compassion to her and us during her short stay.

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