Barbara Elizabeth Trist

Barb’s mother and mine were very close sisters. Barb and I were born five months apart, we were depression babies followed by world war two. Growing up we rarely saw each other as she lived in Sydney and I lived in Bathurst. However, in our later teenage years I stayed with my aunt, uncle and Barb in Emu Plains for several months and during that time we became very close friends. Travelling an hour to and from the city by train each day Barb kindly introduced me to her friends and invited me to weekly activities at her local church fellowship. We also went to many parties and enjoyed our time together.
When were about twenty we had a memorable trip from Sydney to Tasmania, travelling to Hobart by flying boat and returning on a rocking and rolling ship across Bass Strait to Melbourne, and then another plane to Sydney including an emergency landing at Wagga during which Barb and I entertained ourselves (and no doubt the other passengers) by singing hymns! We often reminisced about this trip right up to recent times.
Barb was my bridesmaid and looked after me wonderfully. With both of us married, working as teachers and raising families there was little time for socialising but we kept in touch over the years. After we both retired and were then widowed we spent many hours on the telephone talking over old times and keeping each other updated about our families. The last time I saw Barb was just before her ninetieth birthday where we spent a delightful day together.
Barb thank you for all your kindness to me. I will miss you very much and I am sorry I can’t be there in person for the service on the 21st. You take my love with you to where you told me you will be holding Gordon’s hand. Love to you and your family from your cousin Frances.