Alice (Barb) Barbara Proudler
1932 – 2026

Barb was born on Dec. 1, 1932, at the Stettler Municipal Hospital. She is the daughter of Ray and Alice Thomas.

Barb is survived by her son Steve and his wife Barb; grandchildren: Drew (Amanda Bougerolle) and Jennifer Wilkinson (Cory Buffett); great-grandchildren: Zoey Wilkinson, Payton Wilkinson, Alex Hyryck, Kennedy Hyryck (Jordan Morin); and great -granddaughter Autumn Morin. She is predeceased by her parents Ray and Alice Thomas, her in-laws Albert and Ada Proudler, her husband Don Proudler, and son David Proudler; also her brother- and sister-in-law Larry and Ann Thomas, and sister-in-law Dorothy Proudler.

In 1940, the family moved to Erskine where she completed her schooling. Barb was the only girl in the family and she had four brothers. This dynamic creates a strong, feisty, stubborn woman. It definitely came in handy throughout her adult years right up till the end.

She moved to Red Deer where she worked and completed her nurse’s training and later as a Sense Training Therapist. It was there that she met and married Don Proudler. Barb worked at Michener Center in Red Deer, ending her career teaching cooking to residents with high capabilities. She also wrote a cookbook for these students.

In 1985, they retired and moved to the Proudler homestead at Caroline. Barb was a very active volunteer while in Caroline. She became active as a member of the Wheels of Time Museum, Caroline Seniors Drop-In, Caroline Legion and other organizations in Caroline. When Barb volunteered, she didn’t just volunteer, she was able to spearhead many campaigns. Give her a job and you know it would be done to perfection.

They became snowbirds and travelled to Apache Junction in Arizona to escape the cold winters in Canada and made many new friends. It was there where she learned to paint pictures in acrylics and oil.

Barb enjoyed growing a huge garden. (We think she planted enough potatoes to feed the whole village of Caroline). She loved all things in nature, the birds, especially the hummingbirds and chickadees. She also had a herd of deer who would drop in to say hello.

Barb has hosted a Thomas family reunion at her place each year for many years. Lots of fun and shenanigans go on here. She also researched and prepared a Thomas history book for all to keep.

Barb passed away July 5, 2026, at the age of 93-and-a-half years (as she said) after a short but courageous illness. All the nurses in the hospital and hospice loved her; she was always pleasant, had a big smile, liked to joke around and never complained.

Cremation will take place at the Parkland Funeral Home in Red Deer and a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 1 p.m., at the Caroline Legion. She leaves us today with fond memories of a life well lived and those who she loved.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made to the Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4R 3S6.