We Remember
BRANDT, Vivianne Lucille (née McDiarmid)
March 3, 1930 — November 30, 2024
Mom’s Story:
At the grand age of 94, our mom has started her next adventure. Mom passed away in the loving care of Kelowna Hospice on November 30, 2024. During the last few months of life, Mom was blessed to have numerous visits from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and most importantly, her sister.
Mom is at rest now, perhaps off to find her beloved husband of 55 years Raymond; son Steven; grandson Jasper; nephew Greg; brother Bert; parents Cecile and Garfield McDiarmid; parents-in-law Maria and Cyril Brandt; and brothers-in-law Bill Petre, Omer and Al Brandt.
She leaves behind to remember her legacy, daughter Valerie (Jerry) Harris; son Todd (Judy) Brandt; daughter Karen (Marty) Piatt; daughter-in-law Angie Brandt; her sister Gloria Petre, with whom she shared a kinship envied by many; and sisters-in-law Loretta (Alain) Joyce and Sophie Brandt. Mom was so proud of her six grandchildren, their spouses, and her eleven great-grandchildren. She loved each one of them, and cherished time spent with them throughout her life.
Mom’s character and toughness developed early in life. She was born in Edmonton, AB then moved west to Vancouver, Port Alberni and Kamloops in her early years, and eventually to a beautiful, but challenging life in Well’s Grey Park, BC. There, with her sister and parents, she helped build her first log cabin (the Trophy’s Lodge), and supported her parents’ outfitting business. This time featured many pack-horse trips to the Trophy Mountains and Clearwater River, on hunting and fishing expeditions. On one of these excursions, she was thrown from her horse while up in the mountains, so her dad told her to get back on her horse and ride back to the lodge to get fixed up – alone! These are the events that shaped her personality and resilience.
Mom’s love story with Raymond began in these early days when she met a handsome young Mountie in Kamloops, BC. They married on August 11, 1956, and began their family soon after. Mom was always proud to be the wife of an RCMP Officer, and went with him to stations in Prince Rupert, Armstrong, Kamloops, Ottawa, Yorkton, Balcarres, Nipawin, Swift Current, and Hanley, before they retired back to their beautiful mountains in Kelowna. Mom was very honoured to have been awarded the “Second Man” Medallion in recognition of the extraordinary support wives provided their husbands in one-man RCMP detachments. Mom’s toughness came in handy, as well as their capacity to quickly develop life-long friendships on each stop of these many moves. You’ve probably heard rumours of wild RCMP parties – they are true, and we witnessed them! Over the years, Mom held numerous positions as a bookkeeper (she was very competent with numbers) and as a secretary. Caring for her kids was always her first concern though.
Perhaps Mom’s most important legacy was instilling in us the inspiration and awe of nature, a trait we have passed on to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a family, we camped and hiked across western Canada. We built log cabins on the Clearwater River (a two-hour hike from the Trophy’s Lodge) and at Adams Lake (a 20-minute boat ride from the nearest road access), where we spent thousands of hours watching the water go by and sharing time with each other.
Mom and Dad loved to travel, mostly to Hawaii. They played Bridge and Horse Race with their many friends at The Lexington and Missionwood Retirement Communities, always developing more friendships along the way. She faithfully followed her favourite team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and also kept tabs on the BC Lions and Vancouver Canucks, a vehicle to connect regularly with her sons and sons-in-law! Mom was a dancer (but not a singer – that was a special talent of her mom, Cecile, and grandson Sean!).
We thank all of you for being a part of mom’s extraordinary life. Toast her memory and hug your loved ones a little tighter today.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
I’m so sorry to hear of Auntie Viv’s passing. I have such fond memories of childhood visits, playing cards with the family and surrounded by much joy and wonderfully contagious laughter. Auntie Viv’s love of life was evident. Sending the family love across the oceans.
I send my condolences. I am Jack Norman‘s nephew, spent many hours at the trophy Lodge listening to the hunting stories as they spent their winters in Princeton. I seem to spend my summers in Wellsburg Park. Great times take care of people you are good folks.