VIVIAN DOLORES (GOWER) MCFARLAND of Carmangay, beloved wife of the late Mr. Glen McFarland, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the age of 82 years.

Mom was born January 21, 1926 to Carmangay homesteaders C.R. and Julia Gower. She followed brother Harold and sister Gladys to complete the family. Mom started her schooling southwest of Carmangay at Ryckman School and graduated from high school in Carmangay. Unfortunately, her dream of becoming a teacher was cut short with the early death of her father Ralph in 1943. She married the light of her life, Glen McFarland, on July 9, 1946. They were each other's treasure. Vivian and Glen had four children; Barry, Wendy, Garth and Todd. They lived in Carmangay until moving to their farm southeast of town in 1967. Following Glen's passing in 1990, she maintained her own home in Carmangay. Her daily lunches with her friends in Carmangay and Thursday trips to Vulcan ended when failing health moved her to Peter Dawson Lodge and finally the Little Bow Continuing Care Centre in Carmangay, where she lived until Thursday.

Mom was a talented piano, organ and accordion player. She played at all of the Carmangay Barn Dances that toured Southern Alberta over the years. She was also an immaculate homemaker, terrific cook and a wonderful avid gardener. Mom was a proud helper with Brownies, Girl Guides, Cubs, and Scouts as her children grew up, making sure that her family always came first. She was also proud to belong to the United Church, and West Country Womens Club, Carmangay Library Board, and Carmangay Seniors Centre.
Mom's passions in life were her husband and family. No child could have had a better upbringing. Their home was always filled with laughter and joy.

Mom was predeceased by her husband Glen in 1990, and every minute of every day she missed him; her parents Ralph and Julia Gower; her brother Harold (Alberta) in 1992, family members Packy and Lil McFarland, John and Marj McFarland, Gilbert McGinnis; Mary Legg, Ross and Hazel Smith, Rusty MacDonald, Vernon Gower, Sis Hoskins, Jim Gower and many other extended family members and friends she held dear to her heart.

Mom is survived by her children; Barry (Mary), Wendy (Denny), Garth (Janice) and Todd (Teresa), and the grandchildren she loved so dearly; Ryan (Leslie), Sean, Shara, Patrick, Khara (Doug), Chad (Lily), Joe, Cassandra, Alexandra, Chris, Raina and Kerry; great-grandchildren, Hugh, Bianca, Taite and Aiden. She will also be missed by her sister Gladys Lyon, brother-in law Fred Legg; sister in law Barb MacDonald and numerous nephews and nieces.

The family cannot thank the staff of the Little Bow Auxiliary Hospital enough. Their entire staff is second to none.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm, on Monday, November 3, 2008, at the CARMANGAY COMMUNITY CENTER, Carmangay, AB. Interment to follow in the Carmangay cemetery.

Donations in Vivian's name can be made to ""Friends of Little Bow"", c/o Little Bow Continuing Care Centre Auxiliary Hospital, 316 Armstrong Street, Box 160 Carmangay, AB, T0L 0N0.

Even the fiercest fire ends in ash.