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July 24, 1928 - March 5, 2023
Vera Eileen Wilson, passed away peacefully in Cardston, Alberta at the age of 94 with her family by her side. Vera was born in Gadsby, Alberta, the second daughter of George Clarence Rowat and Mary Florence Cecile Montgomery. Her family lived on a farm near Dewberry, central Alberta, where Vera worked hard; she would say "my mother didn't have a hired girl after I was 10 years old." Vera attended school in Dewberry, Mercoal, Red Deer, and graduated from the Fairview High School of Commerce in Vancouver, B.C After high school she worked for the B.C. Telephone Company in Vancouver.
When she visited Vancouver Island, she thought "it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen and wanted to live there someday." She brought that dream to life in 1948 when she moved to Duncan B.C. and was hired at the Bank of Montreal, after she had simply gone in to open a bank account. Vera met Byron Wilson in Duncan: they were married in 1950 and had one daughter, Linda. They enjoyed curling in the winter and camping and boating in the summer at Shawnigan Lake, and at Honeymoon Bay on Cowichan Lake. Vera not only drove the boat when Byron slalom skied, she also was an avid slalom skier. Vera was employed at the school board office, Chevron, the Coleman Medical Clinic, and in the billing department of the Cowichan District Hospital until her retirement. She was a competitive card player and played crib with her sister Erma at the B.C. Senior Games.
In 1966, Byron and Vera curled with their good friends Glen and Margaret Harper, representing British Columbia in the Canadian Mixed Curling Championships in Fort William, Ontario and came in second.
Vera and Byron planted vegetable gardens, producing the best fresh vegetables. The grandchildren loved picking cherry tomatoes and enjoying fresh corn at Grandma's especially when they got to spend three weeks of summer with them at the trailer at Honeymoon Bay. Vera became very skilled at doing bunka embroidery and crafted many beautiful pieces.
Vera and Byron moved to Chemainus, B.C. in 1994, where they enjoyed golfing, friends, and activities at the Senior Centre. They loved attending shows at The Chemainus Theatre and were season ticket holders. Vera volunteered at the Chemainus Thrift Shop and for the Canadian Cancer Society. They spent 14 winters in California and loved golfing there. Vera and Byron were blessed with four grandchildren, Byron (Rosanna), Karen (Douglas), Monica (David) and Jeffrey(Katelyn), with 15 great-grandchildren, now ages 12-2.
In October 2021, Vera relocated to Cardston, Alberta, to reside in the Chinook Lodge and be near her daughter Linda and son-in-law David. She treasured her friends there, the kindness of the residents and staff, and enjoyed participating in a handbell choir at Christmas.
Vera was predeceased by her husband Byron, great-granddaughter Amelia, her parents, infant sister Rose Ann, six year old sister Verna, and her brother Clarence Alvin Rowat. She is survived by her daughter Linda Redd (David), her four grandchildren and their spouses, 14 great-grandchildren, and sisters Erma Alice Wilson and Dorothy Louise Hrechka (John) of Duncan, B.C.
Her family wishes to thank Dr. Justin Low and the staff at the Cardston Health Centre for their loving care and support of Vera and her family, for two weeks.
A memorial service for Vera will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:30 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1815 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan, B.C.

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Friday, March 31, 2023
11:30 AM
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1815 Tzouhalem Rd, Duncan, B.C.