FISHER, VICKIE LYNN (nee Basto), 57 years, of Alvinston died Monday, June 15, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Best friend and wife of 35 years to Jeff and loving mother of Amy (Dave) and precious angels Laura (predeceased 1994) and Drew (predeceased 2001). She will be missed by her only sister Heather Robson (Dennis) of Corunna and her children Emily and Kyle. Vickie is also survived by her mother-in-law, Muriel Fisher of Waterloo, sisters-in-law Debbie (Jim) Rouleau of Tottenham and Susan (Barry) Conrad of Thunder Bay and her brothers-in-law Blaire (Mary Joan predeceased April 2015) of Waterloo and Aaron of Sudbury and their families as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Vickie is predeceased by both her parents, Helga (Huhtanen) and Wilfred Basto and her father-in-law, Lawrence Fisher. Vickie was born and raised in Sudbury (Wanup) with strong ties to family, friends and her Finnish heritage. She moved to Lambton County when she and Jeff were married in 1979. Vickie was a dental hygienist in Sarnia for 3 years until she became a full time mom. She and Jeff lived in Corunna for 6 years before moving to Alvinston in 1986 and have enjoyed the support and love of this wonderful community through many highs and lows. When her children became involved in activities, Vickie volunteered where she was needed wearing many different hats over the years. Although her favourite role in life was motherhood, some of her longest running and favourite volunteer positions were as Alvinston Terry Fox Run co-organizer, a job which she and Jeff shared for over 20 years, co-organizer of the Optimist Kids Christmas Meal, and volunteer parent at Brooke Central school. Vickie also enjoyed her involvement with the summer camp ministries at Hope United Church and her time-sharing music, crafts and fellowship with members of the Friendship Club there. She loved music, singing, dancing, reading, knitting, cross-stitch, the outdoors and outings or tea with friends! More recently she especially enjoyed meeting for lunch every week with the Friday Sisters. Though cancer has been a constant in her life for almost 30 years and she has faced many personal challenges including the loss of two of her children to the disease, she always tried to remain positive and was blessed to have Jeff by her side along with Amy and a huge circle of family and long time friends who have always been there for them both. Relatives and friends will be received at the Van Heck Funeral Home, 172 Symes Street, Glencoe on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. where a celebration of Vickie’s life will be held on Friday June 19 at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Jim Breen officiating. Due to extreme allergies, please refrain from wearing any strong scents. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Terry Fox Foundation or to Camp Trillium www.vanheckfuneralhome.ca
“Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” Virginia Satir
