Viola Bullen
Mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, crafter, gamer. Born May 4, 1922, in Winnipeg. Died Aug. 9, 2011, in Oshawa, Ont., of respiratory failure, aged 89.
Viola Bullen was the third child of five. Her mother's orphaned upbringing and her father's stern yet emotional nature often led to Viola taking care of her older sister, who was debilitated with polio. Also responsible for parenting her younger sister, Vi learned early the need to stand firm on your convictions and hold close those whom you love dearly.
Enlisting with the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 as a transportation driver, Vi was posted in Vulcan, Alta. Her mere five-foot stature required her to place a pillow on the seat while driving in order to reach regulation height.
In Vulcan, Vi met her life partner, Alfred Bullen, who was the sergeant in her motor-vehicle unit. Although their relationship was feisty from the beginning, in 1945, Vi took a chance on marrying Alf, even though he was from distant Toronto.
Once civilians in 1945, Vi and Alf began their family life in Edmonton but shortly after moved to Toronto. Vi was intent on raising her two daughters, Sharon and Mary, in a happy environment, albeit modest. This often meant sewing clothes for them from her own worn-out dresses and coats, and creating a week's meals out of the Sunday roast.
Life was simple, especially after buying a home in Pine Grove, a small town north of Toronto. To help pay the mortgage, Vi worked as a switchboard operator and filing clerk in Toronto. This was no easy mission. Vi was up early to get a ride to work from Alf, prepared lunches and dinners with no microwave, washed clothes in a wringer washer and hung them on the line to dry before ironing. In spite of what must have been an energy-depleting lifestyle, weekends were designated for socializing with friends and family.
Vi also contributed to community life. She was a member of the Women's Auxiliary, helped develop a Brownie group and played an active role in the school's PTA. Her feistiness could still be seen in her later years through her love of partying, nights out with the girls and shopping for jewellery and clothes.
After spending their retirement years in Bobcaygeon, Ont., and later moving to Oshawa, Ont., Vi cared for Alf before his death from emphysema in 2002. She then moved to a seniors' apartment in Whitby, Ont., to be near her daughters. She was now on her own for the first time in 80 years.
Well into her 80s, Vi played bingo and cards with friends from her apartment building and sometimes went to the casino.
She made many friends and continued spending cherished time with family, especially treasuring her two daughters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Vi's sense of humour and love of family never faded.
By Sharon Seeley and Mary Bullen, Vi's daughters.