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MYFANWY ELIZABETH BOWMAN
Born: Jun 10, 1970
Date of Passing: Nov 03, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMYFANWY ELIZABETH BOWMAN June 10, 1970 - November 3, 2014 We are deeply sorry to announce the death of Myfanwy Bowman, beloved wife of John McConville, on November 3, 2014 at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg. She successfully fought off first lymphoma and then leukemia, but the cumulative damage of so much chemotherapy weakened her heart beyond repair. She will be forever missed by John and her much loved sons Bran and Fionn, as well as sisters Morva (Alan Pollard) and Megan, nephew Rhys Pollard, Uncle Hugh Bowman (Margaret) of Montreal, and all of John's family in Alberta and British Columbia. She was predeceased by her parents, David and Myrna Bowman. Myfanwy was born in Winnipeg, at St.Boniface Hospital, on June 10, 1970. She grew up in River Heights and graduated from Kelvin High School, going on to take an Arts degree at the University of Manitoba. Her passion for social justice developed early and was reflected in her work and volunteer choices. After working for several years in different social service related jobs, she went back to university to study law, much to the delight of her lawyer parents. She was a top student, winning several prizes and making the Dean's Honour Roll regularly. She graduated in 1998 and was called to the bar in June 1999. Admitted as an Associate at the firm of Scurfield, Tapper, Cuddy, she practiced in the areas of child protection, family law and civil litigation for several years. In 2005 she moved to the Public Interest Law Centre of Legal Aid Manitoba, where she remained for the rest of her career, focusing mainly on civil liberties, human rights, and consumer issues. Myfanwy was passionate about the law, and especially about the opportunity to advocate for the less fortunate, and to right wrongs. She very much enjoyed a good fight, and never backed down, especially in the defense of someone who needed her. She was very good at it. Myfanwy married John McConville on February 10, 2002, and they welcomed Bran in 2003 and Fionn in 2007. They all loved traveling whenever possible, mostly trips within Canada to visit family out west or friends, or camping trips to the Whiteshell, and cottage vacations at Falcon Lake. In February of 2014 they had a family vacation to Hawaii, a true blessing after Myfanwy's recovery from lymphoma treatments and a source of wonderful memories for all of them. When the demands of their busy lives permitted, around raising their family and building careers, Myfanwy and John enjoyed theatre, music and dining out together. But their centre was always family - and animals. Aside from the boys and the fish, their house is presently home to three cats and two dogs, all rescues, and there have been many pets before. Myfanwy's love of animals was probably genetic, as anyone who knew her parents could attest! She was with difficulty restrained from adding more needy pets on an almost weekly basis, and would always throw herself in to the quest to find a home for any stray she heard of, if she couldn't take it herself. The habit of collecting strays in need of help, both animal and human, was central to her character. Myfanwy loved reading, gardening, scrapbooking and recently knitting, a good cup of tea, and baking absurd amounts of Christmas cookies with her sisters. She especially enjoyed spending time with her wide circle of friends, from all parts of her life. She had the knack of retaining friends from earlier years as well as making new ones, and was always interested in their lives, supportive of their problems and looking for ways to help - especially if it involved a good fight with an unjust system! Myfanwy was a lifelong volunteer, always willing to step forward and help others in any way she could. She loved a running gag, and had a dark sense of humour that might pop out in unexpected ways. A vegetarian who strove to reduce the environmental footprint for herself and her family, her commitment to leaving the world a better place than she found it was strong, and successful The family would like to thank all the friends and colleagues who have been so supportive in so many ways during Myfanwy's illnesses - making meals, walking dogs, helping care for the boys, donating blood, and of course visiting and calling Myfanwy and sending her little notes and cards. The lymphoma treatment team at St. Boniface CancerCare were unfailingly kind and helpful and positive. We are especially grateful to the entire team on GD6 at Health Science Centre for their awesome care, compassion, humour and many, many kindnesses not only to Myfanwy but to all of us over the last seven months. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m., at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Myfanwy's name may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 9Z9 or if eligible please consider donating blood or signing up as a potential stem cell donor at onematch.ca. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Nov 8, 2014
MYFANWY ELIZABETH BOWMAN On Monday, November 3, 2014 at Health Sciences Centre Myfanwy passed away at the age of 44 years. A memorial service will take place on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent. Longer obituary will follow. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Nov 6, 2014
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 08, 2014
Condolences & Memories (13 entries)
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Was very shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Myfanwy. We went to Kelvin together, and performed together in both John Standing's choir and in the annual spring musical. I remember her fondness for singing. My condolences to the family. - Posted by: Sean Veley (friend from school (Kelvin High)) on: Dec 28, 2014
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Sorry for your loss John. Fawn sounds like an amazing woman. I am glad you have your sisters for support. I am sure you are a wonderful Dad. All the best. - Posted by: Chris MacDonald (Friend of Johns) on: Nov 18, 2014
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I met my lovely friend at park in 2005, she was my hero and the only one who supported me during difficulties. I lost her and this loss hurt my heart. I always will keep her in my mind and my heart. - Posted by: Elham (Friend) on: Nov 13, 2014
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I first met "Fawny" in the spring of 1982 at our junior high school when she barged through and broke up a gang of about 30 teenage girls who had pinned me to a fence and were beating and bullying me. She took me home to her house, fed me lunch, let me use her shower, gave me her clothes to wear and introduced me to all of her menagerie. Her amazing and wonderfully crazy family taught me so much. Her parents were delightful and intimidating and hilarious and generous, and were a great source of support and encouragement and mayhem. When I knew them, Fawny had two sisters, two parents, two dogs, two cats, two birds and two gerbils. Their house was even vaguely barn-shaped, and I called it "the Ark". It was definitely a haven. I am deeply sad that I wasted so many years of knowing her by allowing myself to be dragged around the country where her letters eventually stopped catching up. It makes me so happy to know that she continued to be true to her passionate quirky nature with a heart bigger than her body could hold; that she found the love of a wonderful man and had what I can only imagine are two fantastic sons. It's so tragic that the organ that so defined her spirit is the one that ultimately failed her. She sure got a lot of use out of it while she was here. She changed my life. She probably saved it. I know I've continued to think of her many many times over the years as one of those rare people who saw through all the mess around me in my life and saw someone worth loving. She was SO funny, and SO smart, and SO good. I am brokenhearted that she is gone. I'm praying for peace and comfort for all of her family and for the lives of people like me who she touched with her incredible courage and relentless tenacity. I loved her very much. - Posted by: Nickie Huennekens (nee Pflueger) (She rescued me.) on: Nov 13, 2014
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Fawn was a wonderful woman. A kind and thoughtful person who loved all people, and life. She was a good citizen of her city, her country and the earth. She has left her mark on this life through all the smiles given, people welcomed, conversations had and kindnesses offered. I will miss her. - Posted by: Veronica Jackson (Former colleague) on: Nov 12, 2014
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Myfanwy, you are an angel, and you have earned your wings - Posted by: Sherry (family friend) on: Nov 11, 2014
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Rest in peace, Myfanwy, from all of the Bowmans in Montreal. Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire family. - Posted by: Glen A. Bowman (cousin) on: Nov 10, 2014
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I had the pleasure of working for Myfanwy (Fawn as we called her at work) for a few years and she was a joy to work with. All of us at Tapper Cuddy (formerly Scurfield Tapper Cuddy) who knew her will miss her terribly. - Posted by: Claudette Thibert (Co-worker) on: Nov 09, 2014
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Myfawnwy was a great and positive influence on my life. I met her not long after her birthday 18 years ago when I began volunteering at Klinic Community Health. She was my supervisor there and when I lost a job in retail just after Christmas she recommended me for work. I trained with her sister, who has also become a long time friend. I've always loved "Fawn's" sense of humour. She has been generous, kind, smart, patient, and firey! On all these wonderful traits and many more she has been a role model for me as well as a friend. I hope to honour her memory by continuing to fight for and help others in the ways I know how. I will miss her and my heart hurts for her husband, sons, sisters, brother-in-law and nephew - all a close and kind family of people I am proud she introduced me to. Much love and sympathy. - Posted by: Barbara Weselak (Friend) on: Nov 08, 2014
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I met Myfawnwy at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wpg. She was a great person to work with, I have never forgotten her, and will never forget her. My condolences go out to her Family. May you rest in peace Fawn. - Posted by: Linda Durham (Co-worker(1993)) on: Nov 08, 2014
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A couple of years ago I was working for a private care agency and was fortunate enough to meet and spend some time with Myfanwy. As a caregiver I meet many people. Myfanwy is one that I never forgot. Perhaps this is because we were so close in age. We had some good talks about life, family and the unknown future. There was one day when Myfawnwy was feeling well enough to go out for a bit. We took our dogs to the dog park and enjoyed watching the them play. What a wonderful day! I would like to give my condolences to her family and friends. - Posted by: Hennie Balogh () on: Nov 08, 2014
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I was very fortunate to meet Myfanwy when she was 18 months old. She was a happy, lively, gifted, little girl. I was an aspiring teacher and she absolutely loved books and listening to stories so we were a happy pair when I dropped by to see my mom (the babysitter). It was a pleasure to keep in touch with her family over all these years, to see her grow into a happy wife, a loving mother and a caring lawyer. She was a very gifted individual and will be so missed and remembered by everyone who was fortunate enough to know and love her. - Posted by: Donna Rae Johnson-Russell (Family friend) on: Nov 07, 2014
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I had the great pleasure of working with Myfanwy on media issues related to some of her cases. She was such a dedicated, smart and passionate defender of rights for everyone. She will be missed. - Posted by: Diane Poulin (workedwith her) on: Nov 06, 2014
