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Viola Rowland

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VIOLA ROWLAND

(née Town)

December 28, 1933 – March 13, 2026

Our mom, Viola (Vi) Rosetta Rowland (née Town) passed away on March 13, 2026 peacefully at the age of 92. Vi (mom) was born, raised, and spent most of her life in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 


She was born to parents Louise Town and Robert Town on December 28, 1933 in Winnipeg.


Mom served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Leading Air Women, who served as a Fighter Control Operator.


When we were young, mom worked before Christmas at Eaton's mail order, was a Winnipeg School Trustee, very involved in the NDP and was a Legal Aide for a time. Mom also worked in the Winnipeg Public Library system as a trouble shooter. Somewhere along the way she became a Notary Public, until she settled in to work seasonally at the Winnipeg Taxation Center until she retired at 62.


Mom loved her crosswords and enjoyed playing cribbage so we all grew up playing cards. Vi was the neighbourhood's watchdog and advocate when things needed taking care of. 


As a single Mom, she raised 6 children: Randy (Irene), Tammy (Stephen), Terry (Nani), Penny (Ed), Bonny (predeceased) and Tracy. Mom also had six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 


She is survived by two younger widowed sisters, Mert who she spoke with last August (each being surprised the other was still alive), and Marlyn, 12 years her junior who spoke to mom on her last day, thanking her for being the best sister, teaching her so much as a young girl and telling her such great stories. 


She was preceded in death by both her parents, Louise and Robert Town; siblings, Robert (May), Tom (Grace), George (Joyce), Gladys, Grace (Gus), Kay; Marlyn's husband Tony; and Mert's husband Bob.


We want to thank Deer Lodge for taking good care of mom. In the 9 years she spent at Deer Lodge she resided on Tower 6, Tower 5, then passed on Tower 4. Those who spent time with mom, knew her to kibitz and laugh easily with them. The last couple of years she partook in some of the activities at Deer Lodge with the encouragement of Kristie and Crystal. I thank both for getting her out of her head and her room to spend time with others.


A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road (Unitarian Facility) Family and friends are welcome. 


In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Deer Lodge Foundation or the Canadian Mental Health Association of Manitoba made in Viola's name.


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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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Terry and Nani Rowland

March 31, 2026 at 12:30 AM

The first time Mom met Nani they played cribbage, apparently Mom assisted Nani into a double skunk and a win. Forever a teacher, we were taught to play cribbage and bid wist to aid in our numbers and counting at a very young age. Mom made it very clear and not a bad thing that strong independent women are to be respected and loved. Not feared. I married a strong independent woman and I'm fine.... Really I am. We've missed mom for quite awhile now, it has only gotten harder. With the progress of her illness. She raised us to be strong but never taught us this part.. We've been fortunate not to experienced this level of loss at a young age. Now these days, this all is becoming more familiar. I love my brothers and sisters, and l Loved our mom, she did the best she could as a single woman with 6 children 7-13 or so. Nobody does it perfect someone's always getting it wrong. To somebody's opinion..

Be at peace, we'll miss you mom

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