Violet Flavie Peterson

October 6, 1942 to February 1, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Violet Flavie Peterson on February 1, 2026. She passed away peacefully at the Mazankowski Heart Institute in Edmonton, surrounded by her family. Violet was born on October 6, 1942, in Edmonton, Alberta, to Ethel and Morris DeSchepper. She grew up on the family farm in Rich Valley, where she learned about faith, hard work, and the value of family. Working for CN Rail in Dawson Creek she operated a comptometer – a mechanical calculator that no longer exists – where, on a blind date in 1966, she met her future husband Garry Peterson. They married in 1967, which started a partnership that would span 59 years. They eventually settled in Edmonton, where they raised their three children and built a life centered on family and lasting friendships.

Violet showed us all how to collect friends and to maintain those friendships. When her kids were in elementary and junior high school, Vi ran the school lunch program at Duggan Elementary School. She stayed connected with those colleagues for the rest of her life. For two decades, she was the front face of the Alberta Teachers’ Association reception desk, known for her kind smile and caring nature. She was often described as a “ray of sunshine” by people walking through the front door. Her warmth, patience, and genuine interest in others made a lasting impression on everyone she met, including the many friends she kept with her after her retirement.

Violet loved travel and adventure. She enjoyed exploring the world, often following her children or joining close friends to visit destinations that included Mexico, Hawaii, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Paris, Scotland, Chile, and Thailand. These journeys brought her great joy and created many treasured memories.

Family was always at the very heart of Violet’s life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest joy came from keeping those she loved close and connected. She had a special gift for bringing people together and for making everyone feel valued and cared for. Her gentle spirit and generous heart will be remembered by all who knew her. Violet will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Garry Peterson; her children, Darrell Peterson (Alisa Sibley), Leanne Cheng (Yat Cheng), and Debbie Bermudez; and by her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchild: Olivia Cheng (Marcel Miura) and their son Henry; and Belena Bermudez and Aleyla Bermudez. Her grandchildren were truly the light of her life. She is also lovingly survived by her brother, Victor DeSchepper, and his wife, Eileen DeSchepper. Violet was predeceased in 1997 by her parents, Ethel and Morris DeSchepper. A woman of quiet and steadfast faith, Violet was a lifelong Catholic whose beliefs shaped her compassion, kindness, and deep love for family.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (57202 Range Road 25, Alberta), followed by a light lunch at the Rich Valley Hall (56227-Hwy33, Alberta).

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Mazankowski Heart Institute for their compassionate care given to Violet and to our family.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request that memorial donations be made to the Canadian Lung Association (lung.ca) in Violet’s memory.

Violet’s love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. We’re all better people for having known her.