Violet Winona Graham

Violet Winona Graham

1942 - 2025

    In the early morning of Wednesday, October 2nd, 2025, with family by her side, Violet Winnona Graham (nee Layng), wife of the Late Neil Graham, of Bowsman passed away at the age of 83.

   Violet was born on April 22nd, 1942, to Cecil & Gladys Layng.  Violet was raised in Swan River. In her early years, she worked as a child care provider, however, she was known more for her career as a cook, and she was a great cook! She cooked here in the Valley at the Old Bus Depot, Westwood Inn, Chicken Chef & the Swan River Curling Club, at Northern Lights Lodge, at The White House at Clear Lake and at bush camps.

   Violet’s dachshund dog, Lady, was her pride & joy.  She filled the void when Neil passed and the kids were grown & gone. Lady was the light of her life, in addition to her children and all that walked through her door.

   Violet quietly lived out her strong faith.  She was excited about being baptized on April 24, 2011.  Violet’s time of fellowship with her church family at the Bowsman United Church, during services, at lunches following church and the perogie making bees were all very special to her.  She enjoyed her walks with Kathy & Dorothy and the drives looking at Christmas lights with others.

   Violet was super supportive of fundraising functions in the community whether it was soup & bun for the Bowsman Cemetery or perogies for the Bowsman United Church Fall Suppers, Bowsman Curling Club and many more.  Violet enjoyed many summers camping at Whitefish Lake, at Onanole and weekend camping trips to the “old farm” with her sisters. Family gatherings were always a special time for Violet, whether it was one of many get togethers at Lavendar Hall or lunch out with her sisters.  She always looked forward to being together with family.

   In the early years Violet enjoyed curling and later was quite content to watch at both Swan River & Bowsman Curling Clubs.  She also enjoyed watching curling, football & hockey on TV and was more often than not accompanied by her good friend & neighbor Dorothy Coulter, whom Violet’s family had adopted as one of their own. 

   Unfortunately, Violet’s last five years were spent in the hospital with broken bones in her back & restricted to a wheelchair, then on to the rehabilitation unit and finally to the Swan Valley Lodge.  Although she never really accepted the Lodge as home, she did say they always took good care of her. Her biggest hope was to be able to get back home to her house in Bowsman.

   Violet is survived by her children: Kelly (Late Lorna), Willie (Joanne), Late Archie (Charlotte) & Dawn (Willard), stepchildren Debbie (George), Late Darcy (Wendy), Darrell (Coreen); brothers Ken, Roland (Doris), sisters Marj, Norma, Alice (Lorne); numerous grandchildren, great & great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by husband Neil, sons Archie & Darcy, grandson Lance, sister Irene, DIL Lorna, BILs Mayo, Mervin, Norman & Willie & SIL Donna.

Rest in peace, no more pain, no more tears!  Love you Mama, Grandma, Sister, Auntie & Friend.