Vivian Kennedy
December 4, 1934 ~ April 1, 2022
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Eleanor Vivian Kennedy (nee Bradshaw) announce her peaceful passing at the age of 87 years. She transitioned on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital with her husband and family by her side. Vivian was born in Binscarth, Manitoba and raised on her family’s large farm. She was the oldest of four siblings and was fully immersed in every element of working the farm from a young age. Vivian had a life-long love of animals (particularly horses) and was an excellent rider. As an avid gardener and lover of nature and the outdoors, she knew everything there was to know about life on a farm and the natural cycles of the seasons and life. After high school, Vivian completed teachers’ college in Waskada, Manitoba and there, met the love of her life, Cecil Kennedy. They were married in 1957 and Vivian went on to complete a nursing degree, while her husband completed his studies and apprenticeship as a mechanic. Vivian lived a life of great adventure with her husband at her side. They moved across the country to the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia and adopted two children, Sean, and Payton Lynne. Vivian relished her new role as full-time mother and created a life for her family multiple times over as they made various moves to different towns and cities in Western Canada. Vivian was a quick study and made fast friends wherever she landed, becoming a beloved member of each community she lived in. Vivian was charming and personable; she was highly intelligent and always ready to lend a hand. She was a strong and resilient woman – the person many would come to for help, especially in challenging times. She was a member of the Alberta Women’s Institute and TOPS, and a community volunteer with various organizations throughout her life. She enjoyed reading, curling, square dancing and roaming around Canada and the US with Cecil, camping out in their trailer with new and old friends. Vivian also had a keen interest in healthy living and was always reading and researching different health and wellness practices. She practiced yoga and other healing modalities at a time when most hadn’t heard of any such thing. She always sought to spend time in spiritual study on her own and with her Church community. Vivian is survived by her beloved husband Cecil Kennedy; her son Sean Kennedy (Tracy, Chandra, Belinda, Mitchell, Raeme and Leif); daughter Payton Lynne Kennedy (Greyson); sister Marlene Jones (Barb, Bev and Bruce); brother Gary Bradshaw (Jamie, Nolan and Christie) as well as her sister-in-law Peggy Bradshaw (Neil and Kevin). She is predeceased by her parents Rex and Dorothy Bradshaw; nephew Brent; eldest brother Murray Bradshaw and her brother-in-law Dave Jones. An interment ceremony will take place in the family plot in Binscarth, Manitoba at a later date in 2022. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com). Honoured to serve the family is LOGO
