Vivian Fawns

Vivian Fawns passed away peacefully at the Prairie Ridge Good Samaritan Lodge in Raymond, Alberta, on Friday, November 19, 2021. She was 89 years old.

                As the youngest child of Ervin Jennings Fawns and Annie Jensen Fawns, she was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Retta Fawns, Reed (June) Fawns, Dora and Douglas Fawns (infant twins), Hazel Fawns Swenson, and LaVaughn “Bonnie” Fawns (Orrin) Baird, and nephew David (Margie) Baird.  She is survived by her beloved nieces and nephews as follows:

                Sherstin Swenson (Joe) Law, Vonja Swenson (Phil) Green, Kevin (Eve) Swenson, Jolene Swenson (Steve) Bartek, Randall (Debra) Baird, Richard Baird, Mark (Terri) Baird, Gary (Sarah) Baird.

                Vivian had a wonderful childhood working and playing with her sisters and brother on the farm near Stirling, where she learned the value of work and developed a lifelong love of gardening.  Winters were spent in Raymond, where schooling was easier to obtain.  She really cherished the advantages of rural and urban living.

                Her vocation of teaching touched the lives of hundreds of young people where she taught elementary school in Raymond and Taber, Alberta.  Vivian had a wonderful memory for names and faces and had a hobby of recognizing the many students and their parents and grandparents for multiple generations.  She was most interested in their lives, vocations, and family.

                Her nieces and nephews, and over time her grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, were much loved, and she spent many summer and Christmas holidays in the U.S. visiting with them all.  She would always bring down a trunkful of Roger’s Golden Corn Syrup, licorice, Macintosh toffee and other Canadian treats.  Many hours were spent playing cards at which she excelled, although she did like to ‘bend the rules’ at times.  Vivian loved to drive, and she travelled and explored many places in her vehicle.

                Vivian was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served faithfully in many capacities.  She also fulfilled a mission for the Church in the eastern United States as a young person.  She loved the Lord and her fellow men.  She will be remembered tenderly by Bert Still, with whom she formed a special friendship while in the Prairie Ridge Lodge, and she will be greatly missed by other friends and family.

                We would like to extend a special thanks to the caregivers at the Prairie Ridge Lodge and those in the hospital in Raymond.  They were very compassionate and patient with Vivian, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.  She also had many kind and caring friends and neighbors to help her with her home and errands over the years as her health deteriorated, and we are greatly indebted to all of them.

                A Graveside Service was held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond.  All are welcome to attend.  A recording of the service is available below.

A Celebration of Life will be held later when family from the USA is able to come to Alberta. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vivian Fawns, please visit our floral store.