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.
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