Vivian Dorothy Kelland

Vivian Dorothy Kelland, a loving soul, passed away in Halifax on February 25, 2026 surrounded by her family, whose lives she shaped with warmth, humour, and devotion. She was born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, on July 4, 1943.

Vivian leaves behind her children: Karen (Ian Scott), Robert (Angela Dalton), Susan (Brian Mendoza), and Kellie (Michael Pucovsky). She is also survived by her sister Maisie Rillie (Jim Rillie), brother Addison Kelland (Elizabeth Kelland), and eight grandchildren: Jesse, Alex, Joey, Adam, Abby, Nicholas, Liam, and Nathaniel. She was predeceased by her parents, Charlotte Anne Hodder and Aubrey Spencer Kelland; her brother Ralph Kelland; her sister Irene Johnson; and her brother Aubrey (Junior) Kelland.

Born into a hardworking Newfoundland family, Vivian was one of six children. Growing up in a lively household meant sharing everything including a bed with her younger sister, Maisie, who remembered Vivian climbing in with cold hands and feet after being outside and curling in for warmth. Music filled her life, thanks to her older brother’s guitar, and it remained a steady joy throughout her life. Music moved her. She enjoyed dancing whenever the opportunity presented itself. She embraced travel, even without loving to fly, and cherished her train journeys through the United States, including trips to Arizona and New York. Later in life, she was grateful to visit Europe twice.

Bright and intuitive, Vivian offered a kind and attentive ear to family, friends, and anyone in need. She opened her home as a soft place to land and had a gift for making it warm and welcoming. She was an exceptional seamstress and a talented baker and cook. Sundays often found her with the New York Times crossword puzzle, and she relished a good game of Scrabble.

As well as dancing, she enjoyed movies, theatre, and had her own moments in the limelight including a showgirl performance and an appearance in a Newfoundland beer commercial.

Throughout her life, Vivian worked as a bank teller before devoting years to raising her family. She later served as office manager for the comedy troupe CODCO. After moving from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, she chose to begin again, returning to school in her 50s to become a dental assistant. She graduated at the top of her class and went on to work in Shelburne, carrying that same dedication into her profession.

Vivian possessed a vibrant humour that sparked laughter and reflected the strong sense of fun shared by her family. Intelligent, creative, kind, and playful, she met life’s challenges with steady resolve. She was loved by all who met her and deeply cherished by her family, who will miss her every day.

May we carry her warmth forward, finding her in music, laughter, and the quiet moments of everyday grace.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations graciously welcomed to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.