Vicki Lynn Duvernay
Born November 23, 1943; Gave up Her Spirit December 10, 2013
Vicki Lynn Tracy grew up in Glendale, California, graduating from Holy Family High School (Class of ‘61), where she was Student Body President. (And, she’d be quick to point out, a varsity athlete in basketball and volleyball.) While there, she met Jude Anthony Duvernay. He was two years older, but she gave him a chance. They married on February 9, 1963. It was raining.
That was the beginning of the adventure. Vicki & Tony had their first five children – Laura, Jeff, Jennie, Nicole, and Aimee – in California. In 1976, they moved to Alaska, where Tony was ordained a deacon in 1979. And because it was Juneau, it was probably raining when Stephen was born in 1981. The family moved to Helena in 1983, where, backed by the credo of “shared responsibility,” Vicki earned her degree in religious education from Carroll College. When she walked across the stage at the PE Center in May 1986, Tony and Laura were with her – each of them in a black gown, and gold and purple tassel.
Vicki put this education to good use, first serving in pastoral care and bereavement at St. Mary Catholic Community in Helena. In 1988, they moved to Chico, California. There, she served as director of religious education at Our Divine Savior. After Tony and Vicki returned to Montana, in 1999, she worked for the Diocese of Helena for several years. All along the way, she volunteered her time to minister for the Catholic Church, and was responsible for much of the back-end work for several businesses established by Tony and his partners.
But this is just a catalog of events, and Vicki means much more. She is, of course, OJ and Dolly’s daughter: red hair and blue eyes and freckles and curls. She was devoted to her big sister Nancy, providing care and support through her long battle with breast cancer. For her children, she was wise, feisty, passionate, selfless, giving, and courageous. And friends of her children (and grandchildren) always found a warm home, a full plate, and a fair dose of unsolicited parenting. She taught us all the enduring value of hospitality. These things carry on.
In short, Vicki is a sparkling example. Of joy and compassion. Of endurance, humility, and generosity. Of grace. Of what can happen if, when faced with adventure, a girl is willing to squeeze the hand of the boy she loves, look him in the eye, and say: “Let’s go.”
We see you in Tony’s constant love, in raucous dinner-table laughter, the joyous echo of a family song, in the soft purple and sharp red of an evening Montana sky, and the formidable, comforting flow of the river.
And we’ll never stop looking.
Good night. I love you forever and ever.
Goodbye.
* * *
Vicki was preceded in death by her beloved father OJ Tracy and sister Nancy Murray.
She is survived by husband of 50 years, Tony; mother Dolly Tracy; her six children, Laura (Craig) Trapp, Jeff (Irene) Duvernay, Jennie Duvernay, Nicole Duvernay, Aimee (Greg) Monck, and Steve Duvernay; ten grandchildren (Emily(James) Hackethorn, Nick, Travis, Kaitlyn, Gabrielle, Bayli, Matthew, Noelle, Tyson, & Quentin Maximus); one great grandchild (Josephine), plus another on the way; her brother-in-law Jim V. Murray, nephew Jim A. Murray, and great nieces Addie and Cate.
A Vigil service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15th at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 16th at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Rite of Committal will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A funeral reception will be held in the social center of the church immediately following the burial. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Vicki asks that donations be directed to the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Montana. Gifts can be made via PayPal through the school’s website, www.dlsbs.org, or sent directly to De La Salle Blackfeet School, PO Box 1489, Browning, MT 59417-1489.
Service Schedule
Vigil
3:00 p.m.
Sunday December 15, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
9:30 a.m.
Monday December 16, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Funeral Mass
Monday December 16, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Monday December 16, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community Social Center
,
Service Schedule
Vigil
3:00 p.m.
Sunday December 15, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
9:30 a.m.
Monday December 16, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Funeral Mass
Monday December 16, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Monday December 16, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community Social Center
,
Share
Allison and Andy Sever says
Dear Tony, Dolly, Laura and Duvernay family,
We were so saddened to hear about Vicki. She truly was an amazing woman with spirit and spunk that I truly loved. While we know she is at peace and no longer suffering, she leaves a hole for sure. You are all in our prayers. If there is anything we can do at all, please let us know.
Maureen Oelkers says
We are saddened by the loss of Vicki. She was one in a million. I really loved her spunk and honesty. She is so loved and will be so missed. You are all in our thoughts thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Love, Mo & Loren Oelkers
Judy and Leonard Ober says
Tony and family
So sorry to hear of the loss of Vicki. I know she is in a better place, but I am really going to miss her. We had such great times together. She would pick me up for lunch and I always said “I hope it is icy”. She would laugh and maybe slow down, but I don’t think much. She was so proud of her kids, grandkids and great grandaughter. Our thoughts and prayers during this time. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Love, Judy and Leonard
Jen Parsons says
What a beautiful tribute to a woman who lived an amazing and purposeful life
Stacey Wacknov says
Such beautiful words for a beautiful lady. Jennie and family — our hearts and thoughts are with you all.
With love from Phoenix,
Stacey, Steven and Jonah
Pat and Amy Sassano and Family says
Nicole and Family –
We are so sorry for your loss and hope that great memories will comfort you now and always.
Pat and Amy Sassano and family
Gerry & Judy Kuhl says
Tony & family,
With fond remembrance of grateful times shared with you, Vicki and your beautiful family …our love and prayers. May the angels and saints greet her and the eternal love of our Triune God envelope her.
Blessings,
Gerry & Judy
Sally Pfeifer and family says
Nicole and Matt and family
Such a terrific loss, but Vicki’s spunk and spirit will always be with us. Thinking of you.
Sally and Family from Spokane
Dan and Debby Glatt says
Tony and all the Duvernay family,
Our deep sadness on the passing of Vicki. We have many wonderful memories of her that we will treasure. I remember the first time I met her was in Theology 101 with Dr. Bill Thompson and she scared me! I believe she made a mission to make sure I saw the world differently. From opening your home in Chico to our many mission trips to work with the people of the Baja, you have been a wonderful part of our lives and my ministry. All our prayers and may the saints and angels meet her and welcome her into eternal life.
Deacon Dan and Debby Glatt
Allyson Stark says
Tony and family,
My heart goes out to all of you. May your faith help you through this very difficult time. I know that Vicki was greeted at Heaven’s door by my sister, Mary Pomtier Printz. God bless you. Allyson Stark
Tom McKeirnan says
On behalf of Nicole’s and Matt’s friends in the Southside AAU basketball team community, I send our sympathies and our wishes that your family finds peace and happiness at this difficult time. Our kids (Nicole’s players and Matt’s teammates) wanted you to know that Southside is playing its basketball tournament this weekend in Spokane in your family’s honor as a memorial to Vicki. Tom McKeirnan
Jeannine Plank says
Nicole, Matt & family,
We are so sorry for your great loss of your mother. I hope you can find comfort in precious memories. Thinking of you.
The Plank family
Susan French says
Dear Tony and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I was so saddened to hear of Vicki’s leaving this world. She was a friend in a million – so kind, funny, reverent, irreverent – I am so much the better for knowing her, and all of you.
With love to you all,
Susan French
Olivia Sparks says
Dear Jennie and family,
We are truly sorry for your loss. This was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman.
Hugs and love to you all from AZ,
The Bautista & Sparks Family
Dave and Sharon Jacques says
Dear Tony and Family,
We were so saddened to hear about Vicki. Sharon (Nykoluk) went to elementary school and high school with Vicki and has many memories. She remembers the time Vicki pre named the top 10 pop songs for that week on the radio and won the top 100 songs. They were at that time just 45 rpm records. We were all so impressed.
Please give our best to all the family and know that we will remember Vicki and the entire family in our prayers.
Fondly, Dave and Sharon Jacques in AZ
Erika Fagerstrom says
Dear Duvernay family,
My heart hurts for each of you for the loss of your dear wife, mother & grandmother. What an amazing, kindhearted, wise, loving and warm mentor she was to myself and everyone else that found themselves in your home. She was a steady compass to me as a young highschooler and I’m forever grateful for the influence she had on my life. I think fondly of the memories I have of her and each of you during the years you lived here in Juneau. I pray for God’s comfort that only He can give, and that His peace would fill your hearts and home as you grieve the loss of your mother and find joy in the memories that will forever be tucked inside of your hearts. Sending my love to each of you, Erika
Mary &Dan Schreiber says
Tony & Family,
We are saddened to hear of Vicki’s passing. Heaven has just received a wonderful angel. We have such great memories of our time together at Mercy High. May God grant you peace and may her memory bring you joy. Our thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time.
Love to you all,
Dan, Mary, Clark and Jeff Schreiber
Deacon Gary & Mary Horton says
Dear Tony, Dolly, and each member of this awesome clan.
Our deepest sympathy and prayer of comfort during this time of grief and yet rejoicing that Vicki: daughter, wife, mother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother, friend – is completely in the Light & Love of our ALL Present GOD. We pray for each of you, holding you in our hearts, knowing that Vicki with our God is all present to you.
SHALOM,
Mary & Gary
Francine Kenkel says
The Kenkel Family from Chico, California sends our prayers and condolences. Our time together at Mercy High School was very special. Vicki was an outstanding person and will be greatly missed.
Denise and Jim Carroll says
Dear Tony and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your recent loss. Reading Vicki’s obit, she will be sorely missed by all. My God help and guide you during this difficult time.
Always,
Denise and Jim Carroll
Juneau, Alaska
Mary and Thomas says
Tony, Laura, Jeff, Jennie, Nicole, Amiee, and Steve,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Words fail us as we imagine your sense of loss. We already miss our long time friend in whom we could pick up a conversation after not seeing her for years and know that we would hear of her family, the current views of women in the Church and the injustices dear to her heart. There would be information on her quilting or the new address and how her creativity would be focused on the new place now called home.
In heaven, I know that there will be wheels of some sort to take her where she wants to go, a beauty shop to keep her hair the right shade of red and a place to prepare for the next occasion she will host. And among all this activity, she will surely straighten out the Church.
Tom and I have a lot of memory to hold in our hearts and we will always be grateful for the Duvies in our lives.
The Fitterers
Tracy Family says
Aunt Dolly, Tony, and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sorrowful time. Another beautiful angel is up in heaven watching over us. (And we can use all the angels we can get)!! Vicki was a very special individual that always made you feel like there was nothing that couldn’t be conquered and always let you know to never give up on whatever you were trying to achieve or fight. Her laughter was contagiuos along with her beautiful smile. Rememeber that she will always be with you and looking over you. Our love to your family the Tracy Family
Caskie Lewis-Clapper says
Dear Duvernay Family, I am thinking of you all and sending love and strength. Your entire family has touched my life in ways I cannot summarize in a note — and as the consummate matriarch, Vicki Duvernay was at the center of the Duvernay Family magic. I cannot think of her without smiling — strong, warm, centered when it most counted, and feisty! I know her spirit lives on in you all, and in so many others who were fortunate enough to know her.
Love and peace to you all, Caskie.
Katy Thoma says
Greetings from Chico, CA where the Duvernay Family left a legacy of great faith, social justice advocates, great intelligence, humor, and hospitality! I recall Vicki as a servant to all – whether it be the faith community, the business community or the education community. She was an inspiration to me and to many – she seemed to handle multiple demands with an abundance of grace, something I always admired in her. Prayers of peace, joy and grace to the entire Duvernay family – especially for dear Tony.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Cathy Webster says
Dear dear Tony and family,
My heart full of love goes out to all of you. I am so saddened by the loss of such a good, kind and loving friend. Vicki was a person about whom the world can say, how do we go on now? But yet she has left a legacy of the will to continue calmly, resourcefully, abundantly, faithfully and joyfully. May you be comforted by all who love Vicki and you. Farewell, my friend.
Jennifer - The Canine Capital says
Vicki is up playing with Nemo now. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Julia Dees says
Dear Tony, I am so sorry for your loss. Vicki was such a good friend to me when I lived in Juneau. I have missed both of you through the years. Am praying for you and the rest of the family as well. God is with you as you walk through this time of grief. Bless you. Julia Dees