Obituary for Bobbi Sturby (Gentes)
March 31, 1949 - July 22, 2020
It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of Bobbi Juliette Sturby. Bobbi was born on March 31, 1949 - the same day that Newfoundland joined Confederation as she liked to remind us! She grew up in Letellier and Brandon, Manitoba and also made her home in Edmonton, Winnipeg and, finally, Ottawa.
Bobbi held many jobs during her life but chronic illness forced an early retirement, so she became an active and valued volunteer. Whether it was helping on Pizza Day at her grandchildren’s school or sewing baby blankets for hospitals or baking butter tarts for the NDP volunteers in an election campaign, Bobbi could be counted on to be generous with her time and talents. Bobbi’s personal motto was to live each day to the fullest. She rarely said no to an adventure, especially if it involved travel or her grandchildren. Bobbi was a lifelong advocate for anyone who needed help. She was involved in many worthwhile causes and was an active member of the New Democratic Party. The needs of people with disabilities were especially important to her and she fought for accessibility and inclusion all her life. Bobbi loved animals and had many treasured pets throughout her life - all of them indulged with endless cuddles and treats. She inherited this affection for animals from her father, Gerry. In the last months of her life when the COVID19 pandemic didn’t allow for physical human contact, she took in her grandchildren’s cat, Leo, who was her faithful companion to the end.
She was a creative and skilled seamstress, with many projects on the go at the same time. This was a passion she learned from her mother, Aline, and shared with her sisters, especially Colette. She could be counted on to hem your pants, sew on Cub scout badges, and make you holiday-themed aprons - always with extra-special design flourishes.
In her final years, she found boundless joy in her grandchildren to whom she was a beloved “Maman”. She laughed with them, conspired with them and said yes to every request. Our final memory of her is a trip to Mooney’s Bay beach where she marvelled at their swimming ability and played in the water all afternoon. We ended the day with hamburgers and fries - her favourite meal. Naturally, she sat at the kids’ table.
Bobbi was pre-deceased by her parents, Gerry and Aline Gentes, and brothers-in-law, Dwight Solon and Dave Hawn. She leaves behind her daughter, Jennifer Howard (Tara Peel); son, Gerry Howard (Gloria Howard) and grandchildren Harry and Georgia; Olivia, Michaela and Gianna. She also leaves her brother Chuck Gentes (Louise) and sisters Colette Gentes (Graeme), Gisèle Solon, and Linda Noto (Brian); as well as many family members and friends who miss her and treasure every memory.
There will be a Memorial Mass at 10 am Eastern on Thursday, July 30, 2020. You are invited to join by Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89906639748.
Those who wish to remember her may make a donation to the Ottawa Humane Society, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities or the New Democratic Party of Canada.
In tribute to her life, we ask that you say “yes” to adventures with loved ones and to people who need your help.
It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of Bobbi Juliette Sturby. Bobbi was born on March 31, 1949 - the same day that Newfoundland joined Confederation as she liked to remind us! She grew up in Letellier and Brandon, Manitoba and also made her home in Edmonton, Winnipeg and, finally, Ottawa.
Bobbi held many jobs during her life but chronic illness forced an early retirement, so she became an active and valued volunteer. Whether it was helping on Pizza Day at her grandchildren’s school or sewing baby blankets for hospitals or baking butter tarts for the NDP volunteers in an election campaign, Bobbi could be counted on to be generous with her time and talents. Bobbi’s personal motto was to live each day to the fullest. She rarely said no to an adventure, especially if it involved travel or her grandchildren. Bobbi was a lifelong advocate for anyone who needed help. She was involved in many worthwhile causes and was an active member of the New Democratic Party. The needs of people with disabilities were especially important to her and she fought for accessibility and inclusion all her life. Bobbi loved animals and had many treasured pets throughout her life - all of them indulged with endless cuddles and treats. She inherited this affection for animals from her father, Gerry. In the last months of her life when the COVID19 pandemic didn’t allow for physical human contact, she took in her grandchildren’s cat, Leo, who was her faithful companion to the end.
She was a creative and skilled seamstress, with many projects on the go at the same time. This was a passion she learned from her mother, Aline, and shared with her sisters, especially Colette. She could be counted on to hem your pants, sew on Cub scout badges, and make you holiday-themed aprons - always with extra-special design flourishes.
In her final years, she found boundless joy in her grandchildren to whom she was a beloved “Maman”. She laughed with them, conspired with them and said yes to every request. Our final memory of her is a trip to Mooney’s Bay beach where she marvelled at their swimming ability and played in the water all afternoon. We ended the day with hamburgers and fries - her favourite meal. Naturally, she sat at the kids’ table.
Bobbi was pre-deceased by her parents, Gerry and Aline Gentes, and brothers-in-law, Dwight Solon and Dave Hawn. She leaves behind her daughter, Jennifer Howard (Tara Peel); son, Gerry Howard (Gloria Howard) and grandchildren Harry and Georgia; Olivia, Michaela and Gianna. She also leaves her brother Chuck Gentes (Louise) and sisters Colette Gentes (Graeme), Gisèle Solon, and Linda Noto (Brian); as well as many family members and friends who miss her and treasure every memory.
There will be a Memorial Mass at 10 am Eastern on Thursday, July 30, 2020. You are invited to join by Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89906639748.
Those who wish to remember her may make a donation to the Ottawa Humane Society, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities or the New Democratic Party of Canada.
In tribute to her life, we ask that you say “yes” to adventures with loved ones and to people who need your help.