Vi spent her whole life in Victoria. She was the fifth child of 10 born to Barbara Rae and Horace Curtis. She went to school at Spring Ridge, George Jay, Central, and Vic High. In her early life, 
she worked at Wellburn’s Grocery Store, Scott and Peden, and the Dockyard. When her children were older, she worked part-time at Cablevision and Rogers Cable. She met her husband Lorne at a “Y” dance at the Teen Canteen in 1948 and was married on November 12, 1949. They were married for almost 70 years until Lorne passed away in October 2019.
Vi was predeceased by her sisters Grace, Edna, Vera, Barb, and Kathy and by her brothers Ted, Fred, and Rae. She is survived by her brother, Alan; her children, Debbie (Greg), Donna (Gary), Russ (Angela), Diana, Rick (Jodie); and her 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
She will be remembered for the many expertly decorated cakes she created, her warm hospitality, and her delicious home baking which ensured her a houseful of family and friends throughout her life.
Thank you to Drs Fairhurst, Walton, and Vaughan who cared for her over the years. Special thanks to the staff at the Gorge Road Hospital who looked after Vi during the last 15 months of her life, the last nine months of which were particularly difficult due to the restrictions of the pandemic.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. https://alzheimer.ca/bc www.mccallgardens.com
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Julie Petersen
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Kelly Summerfield Dianna, Katie, Jamie, Jordan and family.
So sorry for the loss of your beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Sending love and positive thoughts.
Kelly and Trevor Summerfield
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Helen and Geoffrey Joslin We are very sorry to read about Vi passing. I will miss a very good friend. Sincerely Helen and Geoffrey
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Daphne Goode To the family and friends of Vi Thornton. I was saddened to see Vi’s lovely photo in the obituaries recently and will always remember her incredible enthusiasm for life, and that laugh! I worked with Vi at Rogers Cable, and she was always the life of the party! I could hear her laugh down the hallway and even around the corner! I loved listening to Vi’s stories about her early years and her family and was fortunate to be invited to her lovely home in the Maplewood area. She was an incredible baker, I remember her chatting about recipes in the lunchroom, and sharing her delectable creations. Vi was a salt of the earth type, a person who always left me with a smile on my face and feeling that life was full of fun. What a gift she had for accommodating many people in her life and how lucky I was to have crossed paths with her. Long may she be remembered and may memories help to ease the pain that her family and friends are feeling. RIP Vi – I loved spending time with you!
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Sue Sawyer Donna and Family
So very sad to hear that Vi has passed on. I really enjoyed working with her at Cablevision… she was always so upbeat and kept us all laughing. We will never forget the beautiful cake the she so kindly created for our Wedding. It is hard to celebrate a life at this time but we will all have thoughts of her in our hearts. Take care and be safe.
Sue Sawyer and family
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Sharon Gale Auntie Vi was one of a kind, and always there as a Mom and sister to my Mom for many years in so many ways. She loved to walk around the chip trail or the ocean with her feet in the sand. Family was everything to her and especially kids and her grandkids. She also loved to watch us play sports, she was our biggest fan! She even supported me (after losing my Mom) while coaching basketball on a weekend road trip up island. I have many wonderful memories of family gatherings and vacations with her. Some of you will remember the “Yoo Hoo” as she would enter your home with a bright big smile and engaging personality that we all will miss so much. She put her heart into making food that she would be bringing with her. She made my birthdays so special which included her themed birthday cakes. One of my earliest memories was her “Mickey Mouse” pancakes when I had a sleep over at her place. I still remember riding in the “way-way” back of the VW Bug when we all piled in and she drove us to the beach. After a visit with her, I would always leave feeling so warm and loved. My beautiful Auntie Vi, I will always remember you. I am sending Love and Hugs to Debbie, Donna, Russ, Diana and Rick and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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Kathy Thornton Vi was the best mom and grandmother ever, there was so much she taught me about being a good mother and a hard worker. She loved her kids with all her heart ❤️ I tried to set my standards by Vi, I could never be all she was, but she was a great role model for me I always thought Vi was an angel. She had a way of making everyone feel special…loved that about her…she will be remembered fondly
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Marg Metcalfe Donna and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was always so happy and full of smiles. Sounds like she had a full life. Remember all the good times. Hugs
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dave gale Vi . She was such a giver. We will always remember how good she was to us all. She supported us in so many ways . It is hard to put in words what she meant to us. Love and best wishes to the Thornton family Dave Gale and family
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Roslyn Heslop (Budgell) My condolences to you all, I am Kathy and Dave’s niece Rossie. I say Rossie rather than my given name Roslyn because whenever Auntie Vi would see me she would say, Rossie! How are you dear so happily that I would feel cared about and loved. Auntie Vi made my birthday cakes when I was little, rabbits and teddy bears. Her sister Barb made beautiful velvet dresses for my mom Phyllis in the fifties and sixties, then made little girl ones for me too. I have the best of memories of her and my Auntie Kathy.
My mom has beautiful memories of her too.
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Cousin Sandi Godspeed Auntie Vi. Josh will be asking you to make him Mickey Mouse Pancakes and Mom will have the teapot steeping for you.
Gentle hugs to cousins Debbie, Donna, Russell, Diana, Ricky and all the grands and great grands. With love, Sandi
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Kathleen Christensen Auntie Vi was my Mother’s Barb’s sister and best friend. Their relationship was very close and full of love and devotion to each other. They got married together, raised their children together and now they are together with a cup of tea in heaven talking of the little things in life that they found precious.
Debbie, Donna, Russell, Diana and Ricky, may God Bless you and keep you, Love Cousin Kathy
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Cole My condolences to Vi’s close family. My Pappa Al and I will
be singing her lots of songs ❤️
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Tony Curtis We are saddened with Aunty Vi’s passing! Always a big beautiful smile. Sending hugs & love to her children, grandchildren & all who loved her.
Tony, Deb Curtis & family.xx
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Cheryl and Jeff Diana,
So very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She sounds like a lovely person and I can tell she will be sadly missed. What a life she must have lived! Take care of your family and especially yourself during this difficult time.
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Tracie Sibbald Dear Donna and family;
I wish to pass on my condolences on the passing of your mother. Sounds like she had a very full life and loved to be surrounded by family. It’s a well written obituary and nice photo of your Mom and her hair looks great! Wishing you comfort in your many happy memories. Love Tracie
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Iris Grew So sorry to hear of your Mum’s death. I remember her well and
all of you – Donna for the haircuts and Ricky who was Keith’s
friend. I often met Vi as I walked the golf course and she
always had that great smile.
Our condolences to all of you.
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Lori James Derry Debbie, Donna and the Thornton Family: I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your mum, Vi. Debbie, I so clearly remember you & I sewing our sock-hop dresses to wear to the dances at Lansdowne Jr High; nor sure why we never got asked to dance [sort of], but coming home to your house feeling pretty deflated, your mum would make us hot chocolate & cookies and talk until she cheered us up. Such a small memory of your sweet Violet. I hope all of your precious memories carry you through this sad time… Lxo
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Wende Hinkelman (Vivian) My loving thoughts are with you Donna, and family, on the passing of your Mom. She was always friendly and so sweet whenever our paths crossed. I think of your parents every time I pass by their home on Maplewood.
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June perry So very sorry to hear of Vi’s passing. She was our landlord in 1965 when they had the duplex. She was so very kind to me as I was just married. My name at that time was june McLeod. Thank you Vi for your words of wisdom.
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Jo and Greg Beattie Our sincere sympathy on the loss of your Mom in these trying times. Almost 70 years of marriage! What a life full of stories your Mom must have had. Our daughter Lizzie has fond memories of serving food to your parents at the James Bay Inn. Lizzie’s daughter is named Violet. This can only speak to the goodness of your Mom.
To the Family and Friends of Vi Thornton, especially Debbie, Donna, and Russ, I was so saddened to hear of her passing. She was always hospitable, cheerful, and welcoming when I was over at the house near Oaklands and then later at the duplex across town. She also welcomed my mother who I know appreciated the chats and friendly respite from her busy schedule.
After many sleep-overs at the Thornton household, it felt almost like a second home to me and the friendship the family shared is still one of the warmest and most uplifting memories that I treasure.
You and your family have, and always will have, a special place in my heart.