Vivian Howard

Vivian Ellen Howard
October 4, 1925 – May 26, 2013

Vivian passed away on Sunday morning, May 26. Vivian’s heart gave her 87 years and she devoted every single beat to making others happy. She is predeceased by her devoted husband of 40years, Gordie and survived by her loving sons, Glenn, Michael (Dianne), Patrick (Lori) and Danny (Derrice.) Born in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Vivian’s dream was to become a nurse but life took her in a different direction. At 18, she left a large family in Innisfail, Alberta and moved in with her beloved Aunt Annie in Vancouver. Some of her earliest employers were Boeing, where she helped build bombers until the end of the war, Simmons Mattress, Eatons and Spotless Cleaners. While raising her family she also worked as a bookkeeper, at Laura Secord, ran a boarding house and daycare and finally retired as a waitress at the Vancouver Golf Club. She was a great athlete and became a National 5pin Bowling Champion. Her many loves included knitting, gardening, flower arranging, dancing and community service. She spent a lifetime helping those in need and did it with the kindness and compassion of an angel. Whether she was raising funds for The March of Dimes or receiving an award for dedication and service to The Burquitlam Lions, she was always involved wherever needed. She was a survivor of breast cancer and a fighter until the end. We will sadly miss her but will lovingly and warmly remember her. A Celebration of her Life and Reception will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 2pm at the Burquitlam Funeral Chapel, 625 North Road, Coquitlam, B.C. Memorial website at www.burquitlamfunerals.com. Memorial donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation or The Heart and Stroke Foundation.