May 10, 1927 - August 31, 2022
In loving memory ~
Viola passed away peacefully at home under the loving and attentive care of her daughter Dawn and with help from family members. It was her wish to remain in her home. Pebbles, a loving and devoted family dog, brought Mom much joy during her final years and was always by her side-comforting mom.
Viola was born at home in Bevan, B.C. She was the 5th of 12 children born to Dorothy and Robert McQuillan. The family moved from Bevan to 4th St. in Courtenay and then to the beloved Lake Trail Rd. home where Viola spent the rest of her childhood. One special memory Viola and her siblings shared were the many great summers freely enjoying the outdoors on the Puntledge River and at the family Kye Bay cabin.
Viola was predeceased by Clarence her husband of 32 years and Jim Watt whom she married in 1999, her parents, Dorothy and Robert, her siblings: Edwin, Eleanor and Murray, as well as two grandchildren, Graeme and Lucas and a great grandson Owen.
Viola is survived by her children: Marie, Mark, Kirk, Cheryl, Dawn, Gail and Sandra, and her siblings, Bryce, Warren, Leona, Helen, Marion, Doreen, Alma, and Darrel.
Viola is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. The photos of her large family adorned her home. She had a great memory and generous heart, remembering always to send a birthday card to each, with a little money gift enclosed.
Viola also had the pleasure in her last days of frequent visits from her dear friend Audrey Yates who was always able to put a smile on mom's face.
Viola was a long-term employee of the Richmond Savings Credit Union, a career she loved and of which she excelled. She was a lifelong learner and while at the Credit Union she completed the course requirements to become a Chartered Financial Planner. Providing excellent customer service to the members was her passion. She turned down an offer of management to keep her relationship with the people she loved to serve in loans and investments, and to have more time with her family.
Viola was a member of St. Peter's Anglican Church in Comox, serving many years in various roles.
Our Mother's life was a gift and a joy to all who knew her. She will be lovingly remembered for always being gracious, kind, friendly, generous, faithful, charitable, resilient, open minded, tolerant, curious and adventurous. She had a love of travelling, with the visit to her brother's grave site in Norway a highlight, and she had a fearless desire to try new things, such as, swim in the Pacific Ocean, float on a tube in the ocean, ride on a carousel or tackle the world's oldest wooden roller coaster, all done in her 90's. She had an active lifestyle loving golf, swimming, exercise classes, walking and hiking. She always worked outside the home until her retirement, helping to support her family. Her talents were in finances, gardening, putting up canning and jams, creating scrumptious family dinners, hosting bridge club luncheons, being a wonderful friend, and remembering all the family history and details of each family member.
She loved flowers, dessert, and saying "That's right." She disliked naps and line ups, being the first to admit patience was not her virtue.
Thank-you Mom for the lasting legacy of faith, love and hope for a bright future. You will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.
As per mother's request there will be no funeral service.