Tribute

A precious and cherished lifegiver has left us. Beloved Mother of 5 beautiful and courageous Daughters whose strength and goodness were her greatest joy.

Those 5 daughters gave life to her 9 amazing grandchildren and they in turn have given life to 8 great-grandchildren. Family. She loved them all.

But Vi was not content with simply loving family. She insisted on feeding and caring for anyone in need, whether stray people or stray pets. She could magically stretch a meal for 2 into feeding 14 in a flash.

She had a great passion for life outdoors. Camping and fishing expeditions with Gramma and Grampa were some of the most common themes of discussions amongst the grandchildren.

Born and raised in Calgary to Harriet and Clifton Roberts, she was the youngest child to four older brothers.

As a young bride, married to RCAF pilot Allan McNeely, Vi uprooted her growing family and each daughter was born in a different location across Canada. They eventually settled in the Kamloops/Westwold area. Their marriage dissolved when his love for academia and her love for farm life conflicted.

A few years later she met and married George Wilson and he became the Grampa of all the fishing and camping memories shared by the grandkids. They mostly lived in the Merritt area, full of lakes and camping spots. Together they cast many lines and cooked many pounds of bacon. (Gramma also taught them all how to swear).

Vi stayed on in the Merritt area after George’s passing, enjoying her garden, her circle of friends, her poker group, and the occasional dance at the Elks.

And she was blessed with one more love for her life. Bill Johnstone has a calmness in his soul which touched hers deeply. Thank you, from all of us, for giving her that gift these last few years. That she passed listening to your voice reading her a story about fly fishing… Precious.
Four and a half years ago, Mom was stricken with a serious series of health conditions. Had it not been for the loving care of her daughters, most especially Heather who was able to provide a home back in Calgary, and was also instrumental in getting Mom “home” to the Island she loved, we may not have had this much precious time. We are so grateful for her dedication.

Loved and survived by her daughters (in alphabetical order from the oldest to the youngest); April Dawn, (Brian) Lamont, Shaun Lamont, Nicole, (Eric), Spencer, Zella Sonneson; Della Dee James, Robyn, (Karl), Phoenix Wolfe, Ryan, (Tabitha), Cameron, Baelin, Hugo James, Sheena, (Eric), Gavin, Hawksley Olson; Heather Dyan McNeely; Lynn Doreen, (Rob) Kaye, Shayne Kaye; Shannon Dale, (Kevin) Kennedy, Kieran, Christopher, Brendan Kennedy; one brother, Don Roberts, many nieces and nephews, her much loved sister-in-law Bette Roberts, and her Bill.

In keeping with Vi’s wishes there will be no funeral service.