Barrie Bush Gaffney, aged 62, died peacefully, after a brief illness, with her daughter Kira Blum, and her two sons, Clay and Kyle Gaffney at her side, on January 14, at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Ormond Beach, Florida.
Barrie grew up in Moorestown, NJ, and was the daughter of Robert and Marjorie Bush. She attended Tulane University in New Orleans, eventually transferring to the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1979. Barrie began her nursing career at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, and, after moving to Ormond Beach in 1997, continued nursing, focused primarily in Labor and Delivery.
Although a highly skilled and exceptionally knowledgeable nurse, Barrie felt her most important career was that of mother to her three children. She took great joy in their every accomplishment, whether big or small, and always encouraged each of them to follow their passion in life.
In the past 5 years Barrie found additional happiness in becoming “Mimi” to her grandsons, Levi, 5, and Cylus, 3. A very active grandmother, Barrie enjoyed playing everything from soccer to roller hockey with both boys, who loved their grandmother very much.
In addition to her family, Barrie had a love for dogs, particularly Golden Retrievers. She was often seen walking her beautiful Goldens, Shea and Taj, around her neighborhood.
An avid beach-goer and voracious reader, Barrie combined these two pleasures, and passed many happy hours beach reading here in Ormond Beach.
Barrie was pre-deceased several years ago by her beloved brother, Craig Bush, of Gainesville, Florida.
Barrie will be very much missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Kira and Eric Blum, and their children, Levi and Cylus, of Ormond Beach, her sons, Clay Gaffney, of St. John, USVI, and Kyle Gaffney of New Smyrna Beach, FL, her sister-in-law, Terri Bush, her niece Kaleigh Bush, her nephew Lindsey Bush, her former husband Brent Gaffney, all of Gainesville, FL, and many friends, several of whom she had known her entire life.
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