Community activist.
Born at Winnipeg on 1 January 1921 to Elizabeth Bailey (1883-1937) and William John Gillies (1892-1970), she grew up in West Kildonan and graduated from St. John’s High School. On 8 September 1942, she married Raymond Irving Scholes (1918-1994) at Winnipeg. During the Second World War, they both went overseas to assist in the war effort, not knowing they would not see each other again for four years.
In those years, she volunteered with the St. John Ambulance Brigade in England caring for the wounded. Her contributions were honoured when she was recognized as the first female volunteer to be eligible for Veteran status. She also received a Certificate of Merit from St. John Ambulance in 1946 after her return to Winnipeg from overseas.
As a result of her husband’s career as a pilot, the family lived in northern Manitoba and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan before settling back in Winnipeg. After raising her two children, she worked at Deer Lodge Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Centre for 18 years. She enjoyed gardening and sang in the St. Bede’s Anglican Church choir.
She died at Winnipeg on 12 February 2008 and was buried in the St. John’s Cathedral Cemetery.
Marriage registration [Violet Isabella Gillies, Raymond Irvine Scholes], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Contest held by C.P.R. Division of St. John Ambulance Brigade,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 December 1946.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 16 February 2008.
“Violet Isabella Gillies,” Penny Johnston Family Tree, Ancestry.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 31 December 2024
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