Peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, in her 95th year, now back in the arms of her best friend and loving husband Hillis (2010). Mom’s contagious laugh, humour, wit and smile will be dearly missed by her family, Gayle Fysh (Don), Jim (Bente), Brent (Wendy), and Dan (Nancy); grandchildren Adam Fysh (Robyn), Jordan Fysh (Kelly), Caitlin Fysh (Bryan), Jennifer, Stephanie, Kelly, Connor, and Natalie Rowland; great-grandchildren Felix, Wilfred, Dylan, and Ryker Fysh. Lovingly remembered by her many friends at Mayfield United Church, Meals on Wheels, Book Club, Car Club, Bridge and Euchre Clubs and her very special friends of 65 years or more Grace, Joanne, Edna, Jack and Anne to name a few. A special thank you to Lord Dufferin Centre and Staff who showered her with love and to Dr. Sachelli and Headwaters Hospital and Staff for their compassionate care.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) Monday afternoon 2 – 4 and evening 7- 9 o’clock.
Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Tuesday, January 21 at 2 o’clock.
Spring interment Boston Mills Cemetery.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mayfield United Church (www.mayfieldunitedchurch.org), Canadian Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.ca) or a charity of your choice.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Cynthia Percival
Sincerest condolences from Cynthia Percival & Jim Colquhoun from Caledon Cycling. You were very devoted in her care. She’s with the Lord now.
Steve Hicks
I had the privilege of cutting the grass and clearing the snow for mrs Rowland over the past few years. I always enjoyed seeing her every Monday. And I will miss her. I liked her very much.
Jack and Edna
With deepest sympathies on the loss of your Mother. May memories of Willa comfort you at this difficult time.
Joe Wilkinson
I am very sorry to hear of Willa’s passing.
She was always so positive. Your family will miss her as will my Mom, After she moved in across the hall, Mom had said how nice it was to have her there.
May she rest in peace,
Joe and Jane
Cam Lindsey
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. I remember when I was a child her being a very pleasant and kind lady. I hope happy memories help you through this difficult time. Condolences to all of your family
Roy & Edna Wright
Sending our Condolence’s to Gaye Fysh (Don) ; Jim (Bente); Brent( Wendy)
Dan (Nancy) and all grand & great grand children. Remember all the great family gatherings, over the years.
Roy & Edna Wright
Janice ( Agnew) Luther Macneil
Rowland Family: Willa was a wonderful woman, great neighbor for many years. She was always so glad to see you. Sincere condolences from our family.
Janice (Agnew) Luther Macneil
Lucy Wolverton
Dear Willa,
I will always remember your gentle nature and loving kindness from when I stayed at the Lord Dufferin Centre for 2 months this past fall. I loved your card, that you gave me when I left, saying that we had become “friends”. You made me feel so comfortable and at home at a hard time in my life. You will always be remembered. I am so happy to have met you and indeed call you my friend for such a brief time. My deepest condolences to your family as they have truly lost a GEM!!! They were so blessed to have had you in their life. Love, Lucy Wolverton
Lloyd Paul
Willa was a wonderfully faithful member of Mayfield United Church.
She was interested in you as a person and brought a positive outlook to the church and the community.
She was very involved in the life of the congregation well into her 90’s.
Pat and I remember Willa fondly and feel blessed to have known her.
Our prayers go out to Willa’s family and all her loving friends at the church.
May we find strength from God’s promises: “Nothing can separate us from love of God.”
Thanks be to God!
The Lord bless you and keep you now and always Willa, until we meet again.
Rev. Lloyd Paul and Pat Lawson-Paul
Janice McCracken
Sending my heartfelt condolences to the Rowland family. May the wonderful family memories bring you all peace and comfort in the days ahead. I will always remember Willa’s smile as we shared a game of cribbage and a cup of tea. She was lovely in every way. Janice ❤
Gary and Faye Broad
Brent and family; So sorry to hear of your Moms passing. She had a long and happy life. You will miss her.
colleen
She will be missed. Her legacy lives on. Much love Colleen, Scott, Alex, Lauren and Emily.
Caledon Meals on Wheels
All her friends at Caledon Meals on Wheels have fond memories of such a lovely lady. All who knew her will miss her. Our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
Bill Palmer and family
We are sorry for your loss and our deepest sympathy.
Jim McKane
Jim – my deepest condolences on your mother’s passing. She lived a long and wonderful life. I regret that I will not be able to attend the celebration of her life on Monday but you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Bob Cook
We are sorry to hear of Willa’s passing. Our thoughts are with the family.
Bob & Cynthia Cook
Alan Cunnington
My sincere condolence to the Rowland family.
May your many great memories help ease your sorrow.
Rest in peace Mrs Rowland.
Laurel Davis Foster
Willa led such a full life, family, friends and community were so important to her.
My sympathy on your loss. I have many memories of her when I was growing up.
Jean and Don Armstrong
Don and I would like to extend our sincere sympathy to all the Rowland family. We spent many a happy time with your Dad and Mother, at the home, the cottage in Fl. We are unable to attend as our health is not that great. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jean
Arthur & Irene Worthington
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Aunt Willa. We have fond memories of her 90th Birthday celebration. Arthur also fondly remembers childhood days spent at Uncle Hillis’ and Aunt Willa’s farm. She was a wonderful lady and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May she rest in peace.
Arthur, Irene, Diana & Evelyn Worthington & family
Russell and Julie James
Our deepest sympathy and Condolences to the Roland family.
LeeAnne Rescorl
Brent, Wendy, Kelly and the Rowland family,
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of Willa. May all of your fond memories console you at this most difficult time. I am truly sorry for your loss.
LeeAnne
Diane & Harold Irwin
To a wonderful lady who had such a kind heart and loving nature. A true role model. To the Rowland Family who always treated us like family. Our hearts are sad but our memories will be with us always. She lives on in the faces of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Love, Diane & Harold, Lisa & Daren, Kyle & Patricia
Bev. and Marion Genoe
We wish to express our sincere condolence to all of Willa’s family at this difficult time. Treasure all the good memories and celebrate a life well lived,loved,and that touched so many in such a positive and special way. We knew her and Hillis through the Brampton Car Club and have many fond memories of events and tours and especially the corn roasts and such at the farm. Hillis would always get the tractor and wagon and take us all for a tour through the farm and to see the “FORD” in the river LOL. We will be thinking of you in the days to come.
Bev. and Marion Genoe
Les and Julia Henderson
Gayle, Jim, Brent, Dan, and families. We are sorry for your loss. With fond memories we remember Aunt Willa. We are unable to attend the funeral. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen and John McClean
Our heartfelt condolences go to all of the family during this difficult time.
Thinking of you all.
John King
Our condolences to the Rowland family.
John and Wanda, Seaforth
Ross and Barbara Davis McCabe
Always remember Willa’s wonderful, peaceful smile. As a young kid I was struck about how Willa always smiled and made you feel very, very much feel important and special.
MARIE STONE
My sincere condolences to the family. We met your Mother and Dad through the Brampton A4C club, your Dad was the first to welcome us and your Mother was such a lovely, kind hearted lady. Peace be with you.
Joy Griffin
Gayle , Don and family. I was so sorry to hear about Willa’s passing. I enjoyed getting to know her at ELO and when I had lunch with her in Erin.
What a lovely, sweet, vibrant and beautiful person she was; and she always dressed so nicely. She reminded me very much of my mom.
I know she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Sending you lots of love and God’s blessings.
Warm hugs,
Joy
Kathryn Mifsud
Willa will be deeply missed by the Tuesday Valleywood Card Party Players in Snelgrove. For many years, as a Caledon Meals on Wheels Volunteer, Willa kept us organized and on cue. Her monthly calls were diligent, informed and inclusive, never wanting to miss a single person, always wanting them to feel like an important part of the group. Her genuine concern for others, her sharp mind and card playing skills kept us on our toes and set an example for all.
In true farm country fashion, she was always up for a visit and a “cuppa” tea!
Willa was the Best of the Best!
We will miss her greatly ….
Jack Dockman
Dear Rowland family,
It has been many years since I was your neighbour but my mother, Eileen, remained a staunch friend to Willa until her own passing this past year. I know that friendship was valued by my mother.
My own recollections of Willa are of a loving and lovely person who was a pleasure to interact with. I have sorrow at her passing but am very glad that it was peaceful.
I regret that Esther and I will not be able to condole with you in person but we will make a contribution to the Diabetes Society in her honour.
Joyce Norris
My Deepest Sympathy to you all on the passing of your Mother. Sincerely Joyce
Mary Newhouse
Dear Gayle, Jim, Brent, Dan and families:
My deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother. May your memories comfort you through this time of sorrow.
Sincerely, Mary Newhouse
Sandra
To the Rowland family. My condolences
I knew your mom for many years and your dad as a young girl. Your mom was a treasure pleasant happy a joy to be around. We will all miss her smiles
Regards
Sandra Elmslie. “Mckechnie
Ora & Dan Cassin
Our heartfelt condolences to all of the family. We always admired Willa for her warmth & welcoming spirit, such a beautiful lady. Truly a life well lived.
In our thoughts.
Ora, Katelyn & Dan Cassin
Christine Dockman
Dear Gayle, Jim, Dan and Brent;
I am deeply sorry for your loss. In my heart, I always thought of Willa as Mom Rowland since the day our family moved in as neighbours 68 years ago. Since 5 years of age, playing with Gayle and Jim during my growing up years, she has been a kind, sturdy, loving influence in my life. No matter where my career or life took me geographically, memories of her steadying smile and calm confidence in my ability to know when to do the right thing brought me courage when needed. A lesson I learned when as a little girl, who had not seen nor tasted a fragrant smelling fruit pie before, l simply had to steal a taste when she was not looking! Then, took a while to admit it was me. She just smiled, nodded and laughed when I finally did so because she had known all along and just waited for me to feel confident enough in her to confess. She was a good friend to Mom, to us and the community. Always reliable and supportive, as was your father. We all benefitted from knowing them both. Each of you and your children were blessed to have Willa as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother and I believe she felt blessed in return with each of you. What a gift she was.
Barrie Manser
Gayle, Jim, Brent and Dan,
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Mary and Barrie Manser
Judy Lucas
Sincere Condolences to the Rowland Family. I was new to Caledon when I met Willa. She was a kind, thoughtful LADY with a terrific smile and sense of humor. Driving home from the movies on a very dark night I made a wrong turn. Can’t remember the comments but I do remember the laughter which I will cherish. Love and God Bless to the family and dear friends.
Janet Cronkrite
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom passing away . Thinking of you All . Janet Cronkrite
Mike Dockman
Dear Gayle, Jim, Brent, Dan and families;
Laurie and I wish to send heartfelt condolences from our Alberta Dockman family. I grew up playing in your yard, learning about farming (and electric fences!!) from your Dad, building forts in your hay mow – after helping you fill the hay mow each year – and feeling very special each time your Mom invited me to eat lunch or supper with you. I grew up thinking the world is a beautiful place … your family, in many ways anchored around your Mother, is one of the main reasons why. I remember just as clearly now the quiet twinkle in her eye, so often there as she gave gentle hints and watched while I learned the message she had in mind. She was never angry with me. She helped me a lot. She was soup for my soul. I have been missing her for years, having moved so far away, and I will miss her more now. Willa was one of the best of us; may she rest in peace.
Barry and Pat Shields
Willa was one in a million, The thing I remember most about her was how proud she was of her family. The community has lost an icon. Barry and I send our heartfelt condolences. Heaven has a new angel.
Patrick Cassin and family
Offering sincere condolences to Jim and family.
Judy Cook Grant
So sorry to hear of Willa’s passing. My condolences to the family.
Jack and Helen Langen
Our deepest sympathy and Condolences to the Roland family.