08/15/2026
Over 40 Series: Meet Viola, 60 - Early Child Educator, Former Banker, Mom, Singer
Viola was born in Guyana, the twelfth of thirteen children. In the early 1980s, she migrated to Canada with her parents, four siblings, a niece, and two nephews. Eight of them shared a one-bedroom apartment before everyone slowly built their own lives. Viola balanced work and school as a teenager, starting out at an insurance company and later moving into banking.
She married in the late 80s, having known her husband since their school days in Guyana. They raised five children together. After more than twenty years in banking, Viola lost her job while still supporting her children and her husband dealt with health issues. With few opportunities in her old field, she discovered second-career programs and retrained in early childhood education.
Viola found herself in classrooms surrounded by children instead of boardrooms. The work paid less but offered something else she hadn't felt before. Viola now works with children through a school board and a community program in Markham.
Her oldest daughter recently had a baby, and one of her twins is getting married soon. Family remains at the center of Viola's life, just as it was when she first arrived in Canada. She's also active in her Hindu community, often singing devotional or Bollywood songs and being involved in a lot of events like fundraisers. Tending her large garden is her "therapy."
Looking ahead, Viola hopes for quiet time after a lifetime surrounded by people. She also speaks openly about the challenges of finding work after a certain age, something she has seen reflected in other parents' experiences too. Honesty is a core value for her. She believes in speaking plainly, building trust, and connecting with families through shared experiences.
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