Tribute

Vivienne Calder (nee Foweather) November 6 1947-September 23 2024

Vivienne chose to receive MAiD after suffering many years of increasing chronic pain.

She was born in England and came to Canada in 1956 with her parents Eric and Patricia and her sisters.  Vivienne started school in a picturesque two room school in England, and graduated in Ladner, BC.  She graduated from University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts and a teacher certification and taught English and French in Fort Langley, BC.

Vivienne and Rob met in high school and married in 1969, toured Europe in a pup tent and went to New Zealand for Rob’s internship.  Their first son Malcolm was adopted in New Zealand.  Sons Brian and Keith were born at South Okanagan General Hospital with the proud dad delivering their third son.

The Calder’s have visited more than 20 countries and much of North America.  Favourite trips include visiting historic sites and attending numerous theatrical performances in Ontario, bus touring Japan, shows in New York and Washington, World Neighbours visit and support in Honduras, and many elder hostels, (now called road scholars) including a music tour of Europe, and many Shakespeare plays in Stratford, Ontario, Bard on the Beach in Vancouver and Ashland in Oregon.  Vivienne accompanied her boys skiing and skating, and even learned to scuba dive.  She loved to walk, hike, and enjoy nature.  She taught Rob to play tennis, her family’s favourite sport, as a teenager.  Vivienne read two or three books a week and belonged to two local book groups for many years.

Vivienne has had the privilege of volunteering with many organizations including the South Okanagan Concert Society, World Neighbours Canada, Oliver Osoyoos Naturalists, lady LIONS club, the Desert Center as a tour guide, and teaching language skills to young people and adults.  Vivienne led yoga classes, sang in three local choirs and was involved in the boy’s schooling from preschool to organizing dry grads.

She leaves to remember her, with love, her husband of 55 years, Robert, sons Keith, Malcolm (Lyn), Brian (Charity), grandchildren Liam and Megan , and sisters Wendy, and Helen (Larry), nieces, nephews, and their families.

Vivienne regrets not having the emotional energy to say goodbye to her friends.  The last few weeks of her life were spent with family, establishing the strong bonds that happen at intense times of our lives.  The most precious times for Vivienne were the hours she spent with Robert going for short walks, watching Knowledge Network, and “being in the moment”.

Vivienne wants to thank Dr. Mattie de Vries, Dr. Andrew Robertson, Dr. Tian Gee, and Leanne Scott.  Donations can be made to a local food bank or World Neighbours at PO Box 1771 Oliver BC V0H 1T0.

A celebration of Vivienne’s life will be held at Spirit Ridge Resort in the conference center, 1200 Rancher Creek Road, in Osoyoos, at 2 PM on Saturday October 12.  Enter through the market adjacent to the outdoor pool. Wearing black is optional, bring your memories.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com