Viola VanDijk
16 Feb 2020
Funeral Date, Time and Location
Tue 18 Feb 2020
Resting Location
Visitation Period
Wishes
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Viola VanDijk, better known to friends as Vi, was released to the Creator’s embrace on Sunday, February 16, 2020.She passed peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital at the age of 73 after a long battle with heart disease. Viola is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years and forever Valentine, Tony; her children: Angela Hynes (Allan) of St.John’s, NL, Marty (Jackie) of Woodstock, NB and Amy Maloney (David) of Barnaby, NB; her 9 grandchildren: Dakota, Gabriel, Joshua, Cameron, Jainen, Merridy, Brenna, Cole and Elsie; and one great-grandson, Kayden, whom she unfortunately never got to meet; her sister Jackie Wilson (Montreal), and brothers, Dale and Arthur (Woodstock); and many nieces and nephews. She will be greeted in the heavenly kingdom by many who have gone before her, namely her parents Margaret and Martin Sappier, brothers Albert and Jimmy, sister Wanetta, and grandson Faron. Viola answered the calling for higher education later in life when she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 1996 and afterwards headed an ASETS program under the NBAPC umbrella to help Aboriginal People who live off-reserve prepare for and find high-demand jobs and ensure financial support for higher education. Viola was a champion for women’s rights, particularly Native women’s rights. In the 1980’s, she was an active leader in amending the Indian Act to ensure equal status rights for Aboriginal Women in Canada. Her involvement with provincial organizations such as NBAPC, Skigin Elnoog, and Native Women of New Brunswick took her across many parts of Canada.For her efforts and years of dedication to preserving the rights of Aboriginal Peoples living off-reserve she was honored by the Congress of Aboriginal People with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Viola will be remembered for her feisty spirit and sense of humour which remained a part of her earthly being even in her final days. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved tradition and treasured moments spent with family. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and her eyes would brighten when she would see them, hear them, or listen to a story about them. Future celebrations will have a void without her being a part of them. She enjoyed playing board games and cards with her family and friends. In recent years she and Tony enjoyed trips to Casino NB in Moncton as these were little getaways without having to stray too far from home. She will be sadly missed, but happily remembered by all who knew her.She will now live in the hearts and memories of those she leaves behind. At Viola’s request there will be no arrangements at this time. Her wishes instead were to have a celebration of life at a later time that was convenient for family and friends to gather and remember her life and enjoy time together in her memory. Messages of condolence may be sent to Davidson’s Funeral Home. Donations may be made to Miramichi SPCA, Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral services provided by:
Davidsons Funeral Home
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Viola VanDijk 2020..
Davidson’s Funeral Service Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Miramichi, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick