VIOLET HELGA TENNANT

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VIOLET HELGA TENNANT

(nee ISFELD)

1925 -2023

Violet Helga Tennant was born on October 29, 1925, in Gimli, MB.
She will lovingly be remembered as Mom, Amma and Gram. Vi passed away in the early hours of October 31 at Thorvaldson Care Center just days after her 98th birthday.
She was predeceased by her husband James Tennant, son John Tennant, and siblings Paul, Alec, John, Hilda, Laura and Oliver. Violet is survived by her brother Edward (Heather) Isfeld and sisters Aurora Chalmers and Anna Russell. As well as her son James (Janice) and daughter Joy, grandchildren; Trevor (Misa), Meredith, Melissa, Gavin (Nikol), Celeana (Ray), Fjola (Stephen), and Amanda as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Violet was the daughter of Helga and Oli Isfeld. Born in Gimli and growing up on the shores of Lake Winnipeg she was always fiercely proud of her Icelandic heritage. Her Nordic roots were deep and she loved to share stories about growing up at the beach and being a part of a hardworking fishing family. From small town beach beginnings Violet developed a love and infatuation with the world of Hollywood and all of its glitz and glamour. She could tell you about the way the stars of the day wore their hair, how they dressed, the shoes and jewelry they wore and the scandalous and exciting world they lived in. This love of the 40’s Hollywood glam spilled over into her everyday love for high fashion and an appreciation for beautiful jewellery. She loved to be social, dress up and go out. James (Jim) Tennant had come to the beach on the Midnight Express train and attended a dance that Vi happened to also be at. Jim fell in love with his precious Violet and they were married in August of 1947. Jim worked hard to provide Vi with the glamourous life she dreamed of.
Violet was a devoted wife, and soon became a mother to James and John. The “holy terrors” she lovingly referred to as Jimmy and Johnny. She poured herself into her new role while also supporting and embracing her husband’s growing business. She spent time modelling while also learning to play golf and the piano. She treasured her time golfing with her husband and her girlfriends at St Charles Country Club where the couple were active members. They attended many events at the club and were always up for a glamorous night out.
After 12 years of raising Jimmy and Johnny a surprising bundle of joy came into her life with the birth of Joy. Vi quickly became immersed in her role as mom to her precious daughter. She shared her love of the arts and entertainment with Joy and was deeply proud of the gifted pianist, dancer and musician that Joy became.
Vi and Jim moved 14 times through 20 busy years with their growing family. She became quite proficient at adjusting and settling into each new home as she packed, unpacked and decorated each new place to make it home. When Jim became sick and passed in 1981, she boldly moved forward on her own. Her hearty roots and strong faith in God no doubt giving her the strength to push on.
She continued to support the family business and attended many company events years after Jim’s passing. She loved to gather with the family and keep up the holiday traditions such as Sunday brunches, Trim the Tree and the Easter Egg Hunt at St Charles Country Club.
For many years Vi and Jim had lunch together, Tuesdays were at the Paddock and Thursdays at Rae and Jerrys’. After Jim’s passing Jimmy and Johnny carried on this tradition with their mom. She stayed connected to her Icelandic and Interlake roots and continued to spend much of her time visiting back at the beach. Many weekends were spent with her mom sharing a cup of coffee with family at her childhood home in Winnipeg Beach.
For the last 10 years Thorvaldson Care Center has been home for Vi. Our family would like to extend our sincere and everlasting thanks and appreciation to the staff and team at Thorvaldson Care Center. Their outstanding care and kindness allowed Vi to be independent right up until her final days. This wonderful home became her family and for that we are forever grateful.
Vi was quick to share her thoughts in a card and her phone calls always ended with an I love you. She will be dearly missed by family and friends. A family service is being planned to remember her.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The New Iceland Heritage Museum Endowment Fund - #108-94 1st Avenue, Gimli, MB R0C 1B1 or another charity of your choice.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2023, Nov 11, 2023