Barbara Laing

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Barbara Helen Laing was born the third child of Alfred and Ida Kiddle Schaffer in the Galt Hospital in Lethbridge Alberta on March 7, 1928. She and her older brother Gibb and sister Fronta were close throughout their lives until they were separated by death. Barb continued to miss their presences and frequently reminisced about them. 

Barb helped finance her teen and young adult life by working as a telephone operator. She liked to explain to her children and grandchildren how the old fashion systems worked and loved when she could find one in a museum to explain with. During this time of her life, she and her girlfriends would often drive down to Glacier Park to meet up with the young men who were working on building The Road to The Sun. She always spoke fondly of that time.

With the onset of the Korean War, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of which she was a life long member, put forth the call for sister missionaries. Barb answered and was called to serve in the Western Canada Mission. She did not have an easy time during her mission. She was plagued with companionship issues, called to serve and live in particularly humble environments and suffered from extreme homesickness. But she  endured.

It was during her mission while working in Saskatchewan teaching  a young woman named Marguerite Lovett,  that she was introduced to Marguerite's brother, a young farmer by the name of Neil Laing. After the first meeting Neil proclaimed he was going to marry her. She said "well,I'm not marrying you." She refused to marry outside her faith. So Neil met with the missionaries and eventually joined the church, then went looking for Barb.

They were married in March 1954 in the Cardston Alberta Temple, then returned to the farm in Saskatchewan to live. Here they were blessed with their five children, Malcolm, Kelvin, Norman, Chuck, and Jo-Anne.

They moved to Cardston in 1963. During their years in Cardston, Barb worked at, KEN's Convenience store, Eatons and Chinook Lodge nursing home to help make ends meet. She and her family were also called to serve as special missionaries in the Cardston Laminite 6th Branch,where the entire family learned to serve together and she taught self reliance and cooking skills.

In 1973 the family moved to Kitimat British Columbia after Neil found employment with the Alcan Corporation. The move was hard for all, and Barb missed having her brother and sister and parents nearby. Kitimat hosted only a small branch of the church and the Laing family soon found themselves immersed in building up of the Church. Barb held numerous callings imcluding her own children Seminary lessons in the small branch, and made life long friends.

Barb never met a stranger, just someone she didn't know yet. She was friendly, open and outgoing. Her children remember her including everyone in her circle and welcoming and "adopting strays" or those who had no one else. Holidays and meals often included friends old and new. Everyone in her realm became extended family.

In 1986, Barb and Neil were called to serve as Temple workers in the Chicago Temple. They served faithfully. Barb enjoyed the days they were able to drive around and explore the local area. Barb loved to travel and was able to visit a large part of the US, Mexico, and Germany.

She liked the adventures and was always up for a trip.

After Neil's death in 1995, Barb moved back to Cardston to be close to her brother. She continued her travels both by herself, with friends, and was always up to joining her children and grandchildren on their trips.

Barb loved to play games and do puzzles. Her grandchildren remember fondly being taught very patiently how to play different games. She had a few favorite games and would teach anyone who was willing how to play Cribbage.

Barb passed away on February 14, 2026, just a month short of her 98th birthday. Her children Chuck and JoAnne were at her side as she slipped away.

Barb is survived by her 5 children, Malcolm (Linda Sheen), Norman (Brenda Mosdell ), Kelvin (Maureen Webster), Donald "Chuck" (Holly Conlin), Jo-Anne (Rick Wilson).

25 grandchildren, and 37 Great grandchildren.
She loved well and will be missed.

A Viewing will take place from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Salmon and Sons Funeral Home, 433 Stubb Ross Rd S, Lethbridge.

The Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday February 19, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, COALDALE CHAPEL, 2216 21a Ave, Coaldale. Friends are welcome to meet with the family from 12:00 to 12:45pm prior to the service at the church.

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