Viole "Vi" Jean Parker

Viole (Vi) Jean Parker passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on September 9, 2025 at Chartwell Crescent Gardens in South Surrey, BC. Vi is predeceased by her husband Ed Parker, children Allan and Nancy Downs, first husband Herb Downs and sons-in-law Sandro Colasacco and Rob Loewen. Left to mourn is daughter Linda Colasacco (Rick Kearney) and her children Greg and Lia; daughter-in-law Kathy Downs and children Larissa, Alex and Samantha, stepdaughter Deborah Parker-Loewen and children Paul, Sarah, and Trent; stepson Glen Parker (Dolores) and children Marie-Clare and Erich, stepdaughter Dana Parker and daughter Clare, stepdaughter Lin Gallagher (Ron) and children Kyle, Ryan, Colin and Kelsey. Vi was delighted to have 18 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her four siblings: Al Baggenstos (Leslie), Dorothy Harder, Edie Marshall (Greg) and Marge Petersen, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Vi was born August 16, 1938, in Punnichy, Saskatchewan. She was the eldest of five children born to Herman Baggenstos and Paula Lutz. Her early years were spent on a farm in the Schiller District near Quinton. She attended high school in Raymore and trained as a registered nurse at the Regina General Hospital, graduating in 1959. While in Regina, she met Herb Downs of Wiseton, Saskatchewan, whom she married in 1960. Vi nursed for a short while before becoming a full time stay at home mom to their three children, Allan, Nancy, and Linda. Sadly, Nancy was born with multiple disabilities and was institutionalized at age three. After Herb passed away suddenly in 1973, Vi returned to nursing at the Regina Developmental Centre, working with disabled children. In 1978 Vi married Ed Parker, who was also widowed, and they blended their families together. In 1980 the Regina Developmental Centre was absorbed by the Regina Board of Education and Vi became a developmental therapist working in special education classrooms. She retired from this role in 1988. Vi and Ed moved to Vancouver Island in 1989 and later to South Surrey to be closer to family in 1994.

Throughout her life Vi enjoyed many hobbies, including writing, cooking, sewing, photography, painting, and card making. She loved to take, organize, and display family photos, and kept a meticulous record of family birthdays and anniversaries. Always curious and keen to learn new things, she was a lifelong avid reader who loved to buy and discuss books and pass them onto friends and family. She enjoyed the company of a wide circle of friends. Perhaps most of all she cherished her grandchildren, making many trips to Saskatchewan and Ontario to visit the ones who didn’t live in BC and assisting with moves, births, and much needed parental vacations.

Vi intentionally counteracted sad events in her life by maintaining a positive, grateful outlook. She had compassion for those less fortunate than her, gave generously to charities and volunteered her time for many organizations and causes. Even as her cognitive abilities became diminished by dementia, her kindness and generosity remained intact. She will be warmly remembered and deeply missed.

The family would like to thank all of Vi’s caregivers at Chartwell Crescent Gardens, who treated her with love and compassion. Remembrances can be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC or to the Canadian Red Cross.

A celebration of life will be held at Chartwell Crescent Gardens on September 30 at 2:30 pm, with another service and interment of ashes to follow next summer in Regina, Saskatchewan.