Obituary of Vivian Marie Prestash

PRESTASH, Vivian Marie (nee Campbell) With great sadness we announce the passing of Vivian Prestash (nee Campbell), age 89. Vivian was born to Angeline (nee Boisjoli) and Harold Campbell in McLennan, Alberta and lived the first 14 years of her life on the family homestead in Peace River country. The family then moved to Edmonton where Vivian attended high school, then obtained her Education Diploma and began teaching in Beaumont. She married Robert Prestash with whom she raised five children. While teaching full time and raising her family, she also attended night school, graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Education degree. For many years Vivian taught elementary school in Edmonton at St. Mark, St. Vincent, and St. Catherine schools. She loved her young students and was loved in return by so many of them. Always active and engaged with her family, Vivian was a rock of comfort, stability, and wisdom for her children. She enjoyed many activities with family and friends, including attending horseshows, plays and musical performances, going on nature walks, playing cards, and participating in the large get-togethers with her siblings and extended family members in Edmonton and at Upper Mann Lake. Vivian had an especially close friendship with her sister Joan and her sister-in-law Margaret McKay. She was a devoted grandmother always, giving joy to each and every grandchild, and receiving so much joy in return. Vivian retired from teaching and lived for several years on a farm in southern Manitoba where her younger children have fond memories of horseback riding, swimming in the Assiniboine River, walking in the woods, bird watching, and visiting with neighbours. After returning to Edmonton for several years, Vivian began her nomadic period – dividing her time between her adult children and spending several months with each of them in turn, in Parksville, Vancouver, and Edmonton. Her children used to laugh and say their mother had “no fixed address” because she simply moved around from one household to another without the need for a place of her own. Each household missed her sorely when she left, and eagerly awaited her return. Vivian was always up for new adventures. She travelled extensively (Europe three times, Hawaii two times, Turks and Caicos, the United States, and Canada - many times from West to East). She lived on a commercial fishing boat and was always ready to pick up and go on some new endeavour. She loved horseback riding and caring for horses, dogs and cats, and always had at least one, (and often several) of each in her life at all times. Vivian loved music and enjoyed playing piano and violin in her earlier years. She had a lovely singing voice and many happy hours were spent singing on long car trips, in the choir at St. Andrew’s Church, and with the Sweet Adelines. She was an avid reader with an interest in a wide variety of books. She kept up to date with the world listening to CBC. Always a cheerful, positive, wise, kind, gentle and loving person, she will be so missed by all of us. Vivian is predeceased by her parents Angeline and Harold, her sister Margaret, and her husband Bob. She is survived by her siblings Joan (Joseph), Rene (Leda), Rick (Rena), and Helen, her children Lynn (Rick), Gale (Gerry), Bob (Susan), Lorelei, and Jennifer (Clayton), her grandchildren Claire (Sean), Mark, Bradford, Campbell, Robbie, David, Mary Katherine, and Matthew, and by a large extended family of nephews and nieces along with their spouses and children. Courageous in adversity, generous with her love, Vivian will live on forever in our hearts. We thank all those who gave Vivian kind and professional care and support during her infirmity. With your help, Vivian was able to remain in our homes and participate in our lives until she passed away. Due to Covid 19, the family will invite close relatives to a Catholic Mass and interment. A celebration of life for all who wish to attend will be held when travel and gathering restrictions are lifted. A LIVE VIDEO STREAM OF THE FUNERAL MASS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY VISITING THIS WEBSITE ON SATURDAY, JULY 18 AT 5:45 P.M. Link for Vivian’s Funeral is https://youtu.be/hY8ww4YZqgk Also because of Covid – please no flowers, cards or gifts. In lieu, a donation in memory of Vivian to a charity of your choice, or Edmonton Humane society - https://www.edmontonhumanesociety.com/, Second Chance Animal Rescue Society - https://scarscare.ca/, Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories - https://alzheimer.ca/en/ab, Parkinson Association of Alberta - http://parkinsonassociation.ca/ would be sincerely appreciated.