Vivian Eileen Abma (née Jessup)

August 9, 1932 – March 8, 2026

It is with deep gratitude and bottomless love that we remember our mother, Vivian Eileen Abma, who passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

We were the luckiest of children to have a mother so full of music, and happiness. She had a passion for books and a gift for creating beauty regardless of the circumstance; she woke us with a smile, inspired us, and never went to sleep until she knew we were all safe in our beds.

Vivian was the beloved daughter of Clifford and Pearl Jessup, whom she loved and admired deeply. She was the loving sister of Gwen and Pat, and was predeceased by her sisters Vira and Betty, and her brothers Vernon, Murray, and Gary.

As a single mother of four during a time when her situation was rare and often misunderstood, Vivian kept her focus trained on the happiness of her children. She worked full-time as a dental hygienist, yet never missed a beat—learning to drive later in life to get us to far-flung practices, staying up late for homework, and attending every parent-teacher meeting.

Though she was once refused a credit card, she maintained a budget that always included a vase of flowers on the dining room table, eventually buying a home with five brightly decorated bedrooms for her family.

She treated us as her most trusted friends and never complained of her struggles, meeting the world instead with a kind word, a beaming smile, and a sense of humour.

She filled our home with Broadway tunes and lively discussions about books and art, creating a place where our friends always wanted to gather.

She loved to watch basketball with "the boys" and regaled us with stories of growing up at Jessup’s Lodge on Watabeag Lake in Northern Ontario during the Depression. Vivian loved to swim and found peace in the water, whether floating in the middle of a quiet lake or on a gentle ocean wave.

"Granny" delighted in her grandchildren, tapping into the magic of childhood play to help them shine. She taught them to be kind, to play a mean hand of cards, and to enjoy life to the fullest.

She is the cherished mother of Sandra, Peter (Pat), Marie (Dike), and Stephen (Dawn). She leaves a legacy of love for her grandchildren: Luke and Daniel (Caitlin); Cary (Amanda) and Cameron (Mei Yin); Kaitlin (Patrick) and Hayley; and her great-granddaughter, Myla.

A celebration of Vivian's wonderful life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.