DILLA (M. P.) SALLOWS (BJARNASON)

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DILLA (M. P.) SALLOWS (nee BJARNASON) August 16, 1921 June 7, 2007 Two views of a parent! Tom's view: Dilla made some wonderful desserts, and some memorable pasta, but mostly, she was an average cook. She was married for a long, long time to Roy. They were an Army couple, traveled around a lot, lived mostly on military bases. She worked most of her life as a secretary for the police, but she was best at being a mom. Roy had medical problems which eventually took his life in 1983. It hit Dilla hard. Her daughter Avril and her husband, Gary Kousof, opened their home to her, and, for the next 20 odd years, that's how they lived. Gary and Avril's friends became Dilla's extended family. Whole generations grew up calling her Amma', the Icelandic word for Grandma'. And then, the strokes started. Tiny, not dramatic, just corrosive. She got the best medical treatment that anyone could provide, but time and the damage wrought by the strokes were against her. So in 2003, she went into the Tudor House. The Tudor staff were wonderful to her and she always had a big smile for them. But without any treatment other than palliative care available, her decline was inevitable. And, on June 7, 2007, she finally was released. It's easy to think only about her death. It's immediate and painful. It's easy to feel the loss, hard to remember her with sunshine on her face and an easy smile. But that's how we should remember her. With a smile and a laugh and a touch of ditzy blonde, and trying to do what was right and loving her family and her husband and her God. Avril's view: Peacefully on June 7, Mom/Amma passed away at Tudor House Personal Care Home, in Selkirk, Manitoba. She's at peace now, probably talking and singing to her heart's content. Mom was predeceased by her husband Roy, her parents, siblings and some close friends. She is survived by her immediate family, Avril and Gary Kousof, Tom and Dee Sallows; her grandson Sean Sallows and his wife Amy, and her great-grandson Ethan Elroy Sallows. She is also survived by her sister Lara Morris, and brother Tom Bjarnason, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her rent-a-grandkids, Scott and Allison, (Ken and Ev Greer); Jason and Gregory, (Brian and Cathy Hawcroft), and Ashley, Whitney and Meagan (Donna McRae and Murray McRae). Amma had a special spot for her rent-a-great-granddaughter, Jade Leah. She will be greatly missed by her best friend Doreen Slot. Mom loved going to the symphony with Doreen. The two were just like kids when they were together. Their friendship spans more than 55 years. The Narol Golden Agers were a big part of her life. Mom loved going to parades as long as the Khartum Temple's Mighty Fife and Drum band was playing. This group played a big part in the lives of her and dad. She loved music, singing, her boys in Blue, the Goldeyes and Blue Jays. Mom loved her role as Amma the best of all. She was very happy to be an Amma to anyone who needed grandmothering. She loved to watch the kids as they grew to wonderful adults. She would have been very proud of Sean with his role of becoming a husband and father. An evening of Remembrance will be held on Wednesday, June 27 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Avenue (Aubrey Street entrance). Please no flowers, but a charitable donation can be made to the Khartum Shrine Transportation Fund, 1155 Wilkes Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3P 1B9; Tudor House Personal Care Home, 800 Manitoba Avenue, Selkirk, MB. R1A 2C9 or a charity of your choice. On behalf of the family, a big thank you to the wonderful, loving and caring staff at Tudor House Personal Care Home, Neil Bardal Inc. but especially to Pink who is always the first to be there. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2007