Vivian Joy Rennie

Vivian Rennie, age 77, of Victoria, BC passed away peacefully at Royal Jubilee Hospital on August 24, 2025. Predeceased by her parents Bill and Connie and sister Nancy, she will be missed by her children Liana, Hans (Kelly) and Brendan, granddaughters Frances, Faith and Aneilia, sister Ruth (Bruce), brother Bill (Joanne), family members Chris, Monica (Cristian), Mikey and Lyla, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viv was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she attended Linwood Elementary School and St. James Collegiate. Her initial post-secondary years were spent at the University of Manitoba where she earned an Associateship in Education diploma in 1969. While teaching in The Pas, Manitoba, she met and later married Richard Dueck. In 1975 Viv, Dick and Liana moved to Australia for 18 months to teach and travel. On their return to Canada in 1977, they headed west to Victoria, BC where Hans was born and they began building a house in Metchosin. Five years later, the family expanded once more with Brendan’s arrival.

Service work was a highly held value of Vivian’s; she was an enthusiastic volunteer, fantastic organizer, and creative problem solver who knew how to get things done and get others involved to do the same. She was very active in the church of St. Mary the Virgin in Metchosin; playing the piano for the Sunday service each week, leading choirs, teaching Sunday school and organizing fundraising, all while working and raising her kids.

Viv always loved to head back to Winnipeg for summer visits with family and to spend time at various cottages. One Winnipeg summer was spent taking university courses to complete her degree in order to be licensed to teach in BC, much to the horror of her children who would occasionally have her as a substitute teacher. After moving the family to Colwood in 1986 she continued her education in the early ‘90’s, training under Sister Angela Martin at the Maria Montessori Academy and earning her certificate in the Kodály method from the University of Victoria.

Viv recovered from a lengthy illness in her late 50’s and rebuilt her life on her own terms. It was filled with family, friends, church, playing Bridge and Scrabble, travelling south in the winter and east in the summer, and volunteering her time and gifts with many organizations. She kept her love of music centered in her life, playing the piano for seniors in care and performing with the Newcombe Singers for many years.

She was very sociable and particularly enjoyed hosting Canada day barbeques and Christmas open houses where she would bring together all her people from the many communities she was involved with to celebrate the holiday. She loved to read, talk on the phone, going to community events and attending church. She baked the most amazing blackberry pies and 'Nana Vee's' signature angel-food and chocolate-sauce birthday cakes were a staple at family gatherings. She was energetic, highly intelligent, adventurous, and incredibly stubborn at times, a trait which served her well in her final few months.

Vivian fell ill this past spring, and although her health needs became the focal point of her days, she managed to keep going in her determined way, right up until the last two weeks of her life. On her last day, in the presence of her children and to the chorus of Handel’s Messiah, she passed away quietly to be with her Redeemer. There is comfort in knowing that Vivian is resting in the everlasting arms of her Lord Jesus Christ.

A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the organizations that Viv supported or charity of your choice in her memory.

Union Gospel Mission

Covenant House