Lydia M. Barvais

Barvais, Lydia Margot (Tate), 69, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2013. Lydia was born June 13, 1944 in Henryetta, OK where she attended St. Michaels High School. She attended Oklahoma University. She then married Jim Barvais in 1963, moving to Wichita in 1967. In 1980, she began a successful career at The First Place. In 1983, Lydia was instrumental in opening The Plaid Giraffe gift store. She had a bond with the women she worked with and thought of them as family. In 1993, she joined Slawson Commercial Real Estate, and in 1995 began her career with Prudential Dinning-Beard Real Estate, where she was affiliated until her death. She had the admirable trait of “never burning a bridge.” Lydia was a hard worker with a wonderful sense of humor - regaling groups with the funniest jokes and one-liners! She was a caring, giving and loyal friend to many. Her children and grandchildren were her treasures and her dear friends were her sisters. Lydia was preceded in death by her parents, Hildegarde and Dean Tate. Lydia leaves behind her family, who are grateful for her love and support. Children, Jim, Robert and Julie Barvais; and former daughters-in-law, Rita and Lori Barvais. Grandchildren, Matthew Honto and Sean Barvais; Bailey, Taylor and Connor Barvais; Carter and Marin McCausland and her precious great-grandson, Corbin. Rosary will be 6:00 P.M., Friday, August 9, 2013; Mass will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 10, both at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 3800 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS. A memorial has been established with the American Cancer Society, 330 S. Main St. #100, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.