Lois Fowler, who won four Manitoba provincial titles and a world senior women’s curling title, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023, after a six-year fight with ovarian cancer. She was 68 years old.
Fowler was born on January 18, 1955, in Brandon, Manitoba, where she lived and worked as a realtor for Century 21. She began curling at a young age and became one of the most accomplished and respected curlers in the province and the country.
A Remarkable Curling Career
Fowler’s curling career spanned over four decades and included many achievements and accolades. She represented Manitoba at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canada’s national women’s curling championship, four times: in 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2004.
In 1993, Lois Fowler played third for skip Maureen Bonar, with Allyson Bell at second and her daughter Rhonda at lead. The team, playing on home ice in Brandon, finished the round-robin with an 8-3 record in second place. They won their semi-final match against Ontario but lost in the final to Saskatchewan’s Sandra Peterson (Schmirler) rink in an extra end.
In 1996, she was throwing lead stones for the Bonar rink. The team finished the round robin with a 6-5 record, in a six-way tie for fourth place. The team won their first tiebreaker match against Nova Scotia but lost in their second tiebreaker match against their fellow Manitoba rink of Connie Laliberte, who was representing Team Canada. This eliminated Manitoba from the tournament.
Fowler would skip her own rink at the 1998 and 2004 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. In 1998, she led her team of Betty Couling, Sharon Fowler, and Jocelyn Beever to a 4-7 record, missing the playoffs. In 2004, her team consisted of Gerri Cooke, Bonar, and Lana Hunter. There, she led Manitoba to a 7-4 round-robin record, tied for fourth place with Saskatchewan’s Sherry Anderson rink. The team beat Saskatchewan in the tiebreaker but lost to Quebec’s Marie-France Larouche rink in the 3 vs. 4-page playoff game.
In mixed curling, Lois won a provincial mixed title in 1998, throwing third stones for a team skipped by her son Rob. The team went 6-5 at the 1998 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, losing in a tiebreaker.
Upon turning 50, Fowler graduated to senior curling and won three provincial senior women’s titles in 2009, 2013, and 2014. She also represented Manitoba at the Canadian Senior Curling Championships four times, winning a gold medal in 2014 and a bronze medal in 2009.
In 2014, she skipped her team of Bonar, Cathy Gauthier, and Allyson Stewart to a gold medal at the national senior championship. They were far from done there. Fowler’s squad traveled to Sochi, Russia the following spring and cruised to the playoffs. They trounced Sweden’s Gunilla Arfwidsson 11-2 in their semifinal and downed Italy’s Fiona Grace Simpson 6-2 for the world crown.
Lois was inducted into the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame in 2003, along with her 1993 team. She was also a member of the Brandon Curling Club and the Brandon Sports Hall of Fame.
A Loving and Inspiring Family Member and Friend
She was not only a curling legend, but also a loving and inspiring family member and friend. She was married to Brian Fowler, who was also a provincial men’s champion and a Brier representative in 1987. She had two children, Rob and Rhonda, who both followed in her curling footsteps and became provincial champions as well. She also had four grandchildren, who she adored and supported.
Lois was known for her optimism, determination, and spirit, both on and off the ice. She was a mentor and a role model for many curlers, especially young women. She was also a generous and active volunteer in her community, supporting various causes and organizations.
Fowler’s family and friends, as well as the curling community, mourned her passing and celebrated her life and legacy. Many tributes and condolences were posted on social media and other platforms, expressing admiration and gratitude for Fowler’s contributions and achievements.
Lois Fowler’s funeral service was held on Monday, October 2, 2023, at the Central United Church in Brandon. A reception followed at the Brandon Curling Club, where Fowler’s curling memorabilia and photos were displayed. Donations in her memory were directed to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Lois Fowler Wiki, Age, Biodata
| Name | Lois Fowler |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 18, 1955 |
| Age (at the time of her death) | 68 years |
| Date of Death | September 28, 2023 |
| Place of Birth | Brandon, Manitoba |
| Place of Death | Brandon, Manitoba |
| Cause of Death | Ovarian cancer |
| Occupation | Realtor |
| Spouse | Brian Fowler |
| Children | Rob Fowler and Rhonda Fowler |
| Grandchildren | Four |
| Curling Position | Skip, Third, Lead |
| Curling Club | Brandon Curling Club |
| Curling Highlights | – Four-time Manitoba provincial champion (1993, 1996, 1998, 2004) |
| – Scotties Tournament of Hearts runner-up (1993) | |
| – Manitoba mixed champion (1998) | |
| – Three-time Manitoba senior women’s champion (2009, 2013, 2014) | |
| – Canadian senior women’s champion (2014) | |
| – World senior women’s champion (2015) | |
| – Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame inductee (2003) | |
| – Brandon Sports Hall of Fame inductee |
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