September 14, 1952 to February 14, 2017
Strong of back, soft of heart.
Vivian Kellner passed away at home surrounded by love as Valentine’s Day dawned.
She will be enormously missed by daughter Chance and her fiance Ben Gerlis, brother Jeremy Warson and his wife Monica, her aunt Daisy, many cousins, and niece and nephew. Her death leaves a hole in her community of chosen family, including Sara Hershoff, Paul, Lucas, Theo and Eliot Gordon.
Vivian was born in Toronto in 1952 to Hungarian Holocaust survivors Tom Kellner, who went on to be a well-known builder, and Marika Warson, who lived a life full of art and beauty. Both predeceased her.
She attended Branksome Hall and Jarvis Collegiate then studied photography at Ryerson. She lived in Toronto and Montreal, travelling the world as an editorial photographer. While in Thailand she met fellow traveller Stephan Zimmermann, the father of her daughter Chance. She and her newborn made a home for themselves in a beautiful school house in the Orangeville area near her friends Brad and Jane. After 15 years of country living she returned to Toronto and started a new life as a gardener and landscaper.
Vivian lived a life devoted to aesthetics. She created beauty in her homes, gardens, and photography. She was known for her love of food, dance, art, music, theatre and film. Along the way she made many lifelong friends who experienced her generosity and warmth. In the last year of her life Vivian was surprised and thrilled by the outpouring of love given to her by the constant stream of visitors who accompanied her on the last leg of her life journey.
A memorial service will take place Friday, February 17 at 1 p.m. at the Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W. Toronto. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Community Deathcare Canada by contacting jlmcgill@rogers.com.