Skip to content

Mar 15, 1925 - Dec 25, 2017
Vivienne was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She and her two sisters grew up on a farm just outside Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Vivienne joined the army during WW 2 and served her time working in the x-ray department at a Toronto hospital, caring for the returning soldiers. After the war ended, she moved to Victoria, BC to achieve her teaching degree. Her first teaching job was at the one room school house in Chimney Valley where she boarded with the Pinchbeck family. She had very fond memories of this first position; the kindness she was shown, the hard work, and, of course, her students and all the fun they had. This was followed by a year of teaching at the newly built Marie Sharpe school. It was during this time that she met Wally. Her third year teaching was spent in Fort St. James. 

Wally and Vivienne were married in 1951 and lived in Prince Rupert for a time. Wally found work in Williams Lake in the early 1950's and it remained home for them ever since. After the raising of kids was done, Vivienne worked at, and then owned, the Cariboo Book Bin for many years. Here she shared her love of books and knowledge with her numerous customers. 

Vivienne was an avid gardener and her yard full of beautiful flowers and plants brought people from all over town to drive past and have a look or stop in for a chat with the lady in the big straw hat. 

Mom was kind, loving and honest. She never complained and found the positive in everyone and everything. She marvelled at all the beauty in nature, which she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Many a critter, wild or domestic found a safe haven at her south lakeside home.

Mom will be remembered fondly and dearly missed by all who knew her. 

Vivienne was predeceased in Nov. 2016 by her husband of 65 years, Wally. 

She is survived by their six children, Lance (Nancy), Dave, Wayne, Vic (Barb), Dale (Terry), Shelley (Sid); twelve grandchildren, Amanda, Jody, Roald, Chris, Tasha, Caitlin, Ian, Jeff, Lisa, Ryan, Denver and Kyle; ten great grandchildren; and her sister, Gwen Dancer. 

Thank you to the wonderful caregivers at the Seniors Village. 

A celebration of life for Vivienne and Wally will be held at the Williams Lake Seniors Activity Centre January 27 at 3:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Williams Lake SPCA. 

Cariboo-Chilcotin Funeral Services entrusted with the arrangements. 

Condolences can be sent to the family care of cariboochilcotinfuneralservice@gmail.com
Cariboo-Chilcotin Funeral Services




Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.