Whitney Victoria Barham 1985 - 2006

"Suddenly and way too soon for anyone to understand why, Whitney Victoria Barham, with friends and family present, succumbed to injuries in Victoria, B.C. on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 after a valiant, dignified, courageous fight to remain with us as the Light of our Lives and Heart of our Hearts. Whitney was born in Sudbury, ON on October 31, 1985 to Caroline and Mark at seven pounds, 10 and one half ounces at 11:19 a.m. From that time the world changed. Two and one half years later, Whitney became the older sister to Kelsey and once again the world changed. From early on, Whitney's zest for adventure and life challenged her parents, sister, teachers and friends to laugh and smile at the world. Whitney was Valedictorian for her Grade Twelve class. She was a member of Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 23 in North Bay, ON, President of the Model United Nations and was in her third year at the University of Lethbridge, with unfinished ambitions to work with her parents, own her own business and work at the United Nations. Whitney's dreams were ours, her strength boundless, and her opinions and interests many. Poetry, writing, music, family, cooking and Patrick were her passions, loves and light. Whitney never truly left the birth attachment to her mother Caroline, whether she was in the same room or in a different country. So hard is her passing; so wonderful was her life; so bright was her smile; so missed is her laugh. This gentle soul had eyes that could pierce the toughest of people and see the beauty within and her saying "I love you" will haunt the minutes of our days apart. Blessed are we to have had the privilege to have held her, kissed her, and loved her."

Whitney, I will never forget you, you will never leave my mind...I will never meet anyone like you again in my life. You meant so much to me...you knew me in a way that no other person has. I always felt that you and I were somewhat alike...and that if it weren't for the mere differences in our lives' varying circumstances...we might have been the same person. I will always love you and always aspire to be like you.