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Vivian Laura Proden (nee White)
September 14th, 1931 – June 17th, 2023
On Saturday, June 17th, 2023, Vivian passed away peacefully at the Lion’s Prairie Manor.
She was predeceased by her husband Michael in 1994, and her daughter Dale Kinchen in 2021, her parents Harry and Fern White, and brothers John, Harry, and William, parents in-law John and Pearl Prodan, and sister in-law Helen Hicks. She leaves behind her two sons John and Blayne, her son in-law Kerry Kinchen, grandchildren William (Samantha), Lawrence, Heath, Tye (Ryan), Dia, Thomas, Vanessa (Myles), Kenneth (Rachael), Krista, great-grandchildren Corbin, Bethany, Marley, Korbin, Logan, Anastasia, Walker, Braden, Jack, Poppy, Sadie, and sisters in-law Darlene and Jaqui.
Mom was born on September 14th, 1931 in a log cabin near Marchand, MB. She was a very bold determined little girl who met life’s challenges head on, often taking on tasks on the homestead which were beyond her years. She once shared a story where as a young girl attending the local school, there was an occasion where she and the teacher had a disagreement over the definition of a word. Vivian was correct and the disagreement was due to the fact that she actually knew more than the teacher! This was not the first time she and the teacher had been at odds, so rather than face the reprimand of her mother for standing up to the teacher, she decided it would be best if she ran away from home. She put her few belongings into a pillow case, spent the night in the woods, and the next day caught a ride with a truck driver who was headed to Portage la Prairie. He agreed to drive her after she informed him that she was going to stay with her aunt who lived there. Once her parents found out where she was, they came to Portage, and after seeing the opportunities the town could afford, they moved the family to Portage and set up shop… and the rest is history.
At age 17, Mom met and married Michael Proden and together they had three children and set up a home in Portage. While the children were young, she was a house wife looking after the needs of the family. As the children grew, she took a part time job at the Mushroom Farm, and also co-managed The Home of Army & Navy Store in Portage. It was while working here that she bought her first car! With this new found mobility, she started dabbling in her love of antiques and collectibles and became a traveling antiques and collectibles dealer.
Eventually when The Home of Army & Navy closed, Mom got serious about building her antiques and collectables business. Once the car was full, then the garage became full, and then the house started to fill up… at this point, she knew she needed a store. She loved being out in the country so why not start a store out of town? She purchased property just east of the High Bluff turnoff along the TransCanada and it was here she opened “Junk for Joy”. For the next 35 years, she owned and operated a thriving business. When the house next door went up for sale, she purchased that also and moved the family to the country. In her days of prosperity, she also opened up a “Junk for Joy” location in Portage. Her children and grandchildren supported her in running the business and worked along side her. She met so many people from all over the world, and developed a wide and diverse customer base, many of which became her friends.
At the age of 85, Mom decided enough was enough and closed the store, selling the stock and the property. She continued to live at her “country estate” as she always called it for a few more years before deciding to was best to move to Portage to be closer to her son John. In town, she enjoyed her home, kitchen, her yard and garden, day excursions, and visits with friends and family. She remained there until taking up residence at the Lion’s Prairie Manor.
From the very beginning, Vivian walked to her own steps and was a go- get ‘er. Her love for life, family, and friends was always in the forefront. She loved selflessly, gave generously, and was the hands and feet of Jesus her Saviour to all He brought across her path. Be it her family, a friend in need, or one of her many “adopted families” over the years, “Baba Vim” loved and was loved in return. She found her strength in her morning quiet times with God, and in her family whom she loved dearly. She will be greatly missed, but she will forever remain in the hearts and memories of the countless lives of those who were blessed to have known her.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 8th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Stride Place Rotary Multipurpose Room on Island Park, Portage la Prairie, MB.
If friends so desire, donations in Vivian’s memory may be made to Siloam Mission, 300 Princess St, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M3. To share memories and leave condolences, please visit www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservces.com
Ronald Moffit Memorial Services in care of arrangements.