Veronica Elisabeth Mercer

Vickie was born in East Vancouver on September 1st ,1932, the youngest child of John and Margaret Lund. She and her brother Bill grew up in a two-culture household, Swedish and Scottish. Vickie graduated from John Oliver High School and being a natural trailblazer, she wanted to attend St Paul’s two-year nursing program to become a registered nurse. Her father baulked at the need for further education and would not sign the paperwork to allow her to attend. Vickie stood her ground, and eventually off to St Paul’s Hospital she went. During that time, in a ski cabin on Grouse Mountain built by her brother Bill and other UBC Engineering students, she met a tall handsome engineer named Al Mercer. They fell in love quickly, waited until they graduated and married in the Spring of 1954. The newlyweds set off to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Three daughters Laurie, Terry and Marnie were born there while Vickie became a private nurse and Al got his PHD.

The adventure continued as the family moved to Lahore Pakistan for a hydroelectric project. Vickie took on the challenge of joining other international professionals, mixing with a more worldly and experienced community. She set up their home in a new country with trepidation. Vickie faced it head on and found her footing amongst the international elites. In their own style Vickie, Al, three little girls and a Westie named Toby set off exploring Pakistan, India, and the Kashmir in a VW Bug. It was the sixties after all.

Al went to work while Vickie managed everything else. They were true partners. Their overseas work took them beyond Pakistan. In Indonesia, Vickie joined a medical team visiting villages to talk about women and children’s health. In Egypt, she became the Canadian Embassy Nurse in Cairo. Dispensing advice, with a vaccine needle in one hand and referrals in the other. The Canadian Embassy was not only a workplace, but the social hub for Canadians. Other projects took them to destinations like South Vietnam, and Nepal. Vickie's own world exploration took her from Australia to Russia and everywhere in between most often clicking along in her high heels.

Vickie and Al’s retirement became a different kind of adventure, exploring the local coastlines on their sailboat ‘Gypsy’ with their dog Beau; Vickie riding out the swells with a mug of instant coffee and a crossword puzzle. Vickie loved travel, hiking, fabric arts, history, pets and sharing their sailboat with family and friends.

On January 8th, 2026, after blessings from her priest she left home again on her next adventure, joining her beloved husband Al who passed away in 2021. Vickie was predeceased by her brother Bill Lund who passed in 2024. Her three daughters, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren will miss that little red headed firebrand, but at 93 she lived an amazing life with her soul mate. What more can you ask for?

Light refreshments will be offered following the service. Please email Marnie or Murray at [email protected] if you plan to attend.