Agnes Viola Lenora Brunton

Heaven welcomed a true angel on April 9, 2025, as Viola Brunton (née Beacock) passed away peacefully at Andy's House in Port-Carling. Though we mourn the loss of a remarkably courageous and spirited woman, we celebrate the incredible life she lived and the legacy she leaves behind.

Viola, affectionately known as Vi, was a beacon of warmth, strength, and community spirit. A lifelong resident of Gravenhurst, Vi and her beloved husband Gordon Brunton (predeceased) made their home on "The Farm" a cherished gathering place that became a sanctuary for friends, family, and anyone in need of a warm meal or good conversation. Together, they worked the land, raised cattle, and opened their doors, and hearts, to all. The coffee was always on at 10am and 3pm, visitors were welcomed with her legendary baking: homemade bread, butter tarts, pies, cookies and her famous “do-gig-a-roos.”

Vi was a gifted storyteller, well known throughout Muskoka for her newspaper columns "Around the Town with Vi" and "From the Farm", published in the Gravenhurst Banner and Gravenhurst Leader. Through her words, she beautifully captured the charm of small-town life and shared tales of farm adventures, community events, and the people she so dearly loved. Her zest for life radiated through every story, and her joy was contagious.

Her passion for storytelling extended far beyond the paper. She wrote the “History of The Farm”, lovingly preserving the family’s legacy, and penned her mother’s remarkable life journey in “Feisty Kid – Courageous Lady”. Most recently, she was working on her own memoir, “Two Peas in a Pod, A Generation Apart”, a heartfelt collection of stories and reflections capturing the humour, challenges, and beauty of her life as Viola Brunton.

A dedicated volunteer, Vi gave tirelessly to causes close to her heart. She served as a Girl Guide leader, canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society and CNIB, supported the Bracebridge hospital, and was a devoted participant in countless church and community events. With Gord by her side, she was active in the Gravenhurst Conservation Club, often found bartending at square dances or stealing the show as her and Gord performed the Schottische. She even gained notoriety at skeet shooting events, proudly earning the nickname “Dead Eye Vi.”

Vi’s faith was the foundation of her life. She was a devoted member of both the Anglican and Calvary Baptist Churches, where she sang in the choir, led Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, hosted coffee hours, and helped organize countless gatherings. One of her proudest accomplishments was fulfilling a lifelong dream of missionary work, traveling to Latvia to serve others in faith.

Vi lived every chapter of life with grace, determination, and optimism. Her personal motto, “You can’t change the past, but you sure can impact the future and the choices you make going forward,” continues to guide those she leaves behind.

Viola was predeceased by her loving husband Gordon Brunton, and her son John Brunton. She leaves behind a loving family: sons Wayne Brunton, Stephen Brunton (Theresa); daughters Susan Brunton-Tweddell (Murray), and Lori Brunton (Vincent); grandchildren Gordon, Christopher, Heather, Mark, Hannah, Sarah, Colby, Kendal, Noah, and Liam; and great-grandchildren Hailey, William, Jackson, Gordon Jr., Gabriel, Nancy, Nathaniel, and Tony.

Viola was welcomed into Heaven by many loved ones whom no doubt greeted her with a joyful reunion, complete with a coffee pot on and the kitchen table set.

Viola’s smile, her laughter, her songs in the kitchen, and her boundless generosity will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Vi’s memory may be made to Andy’s House in Port Carling, whose compassionate care brought comfort to her and her family in her final days. A Celebration of life will be held in the summer.

Please feel free to share your memories and pictures of Vi. She always believed “Tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.”

Andy's House: https://www.hospicemuskoka.com/andyshouse