With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Vivian Marie Simard, who left us on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Fort Frances Hospital. Born on March 27, 1980, in Fort Frances, Ontario, Vivian was a deeply loved mother, sister, and a cherished aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. She will be profoundly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Vivian possessed a truly vibrant personality. She was the kind of person who could light up an entire room the moment she walked into it, carrying a laughter that was completely infectious. She shared a unique, special bond with every single person who crossed her path.
Family and friends meant everything to Vivian, and she treasured every moment spent sharing laughter and making memories with them. She had a passion for life that shone through her love of dancing, music, and travelling. An avid sports fan, she loved to play baseball and was always the biggest fan on the sidelines, loving nothing more than watching her sister play. Her love for the game started young when she played with the Couchiching baseball team. As an adult, her leadership and community spirit shone through when she started her very own team, surrounding herself with her closest family and friends on the diamond. Vivian’s heart was truly on the field, and she continued to play baseball until she couldn’t. Vivian also had an absolute love for children and was widely known as a wonderful, deeply devoted “good auntie” to many.
Vivian was predeceased by her beloved parents Douglas McDonald and Gladys Johnson; as well as her aunts and uncles Angeline Chosa, Rose Smith, Steve Johnson, Elise Wesley, and Elvis Smith.
Her memory will be forever cherished by her family: her children Kailey Simard (Trustin Bruyere), Logan Simard (Keira Adams), Mason Simard, Jeremiah Potson, and Cole Allen; her siblings Bucko Johnson (Rio Belanger), Jeremy Johnson, and Lauralee Johnson (Migisii Redsky); her aunts Janice Smith and Gloria Smith; her Special Friend & Cousin Mary Johnson; her family; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
Pallbearers will be Jarrett Smith, Connor Kwandibens, Keyshawn Fairbanks, Shylar Fairbanks, Cole Allen, Jeremiah Potson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be all of her nieces and nephews, including Colton Fairbanks, Kaiya Boorman, Jenna Smith, and Lyric Morrish-Smith.
For those who wished to pay their respects, a wake and funeral service were held at the Northwest Bay Gym, Naicatchewenin First Nation.
The schedule was as follows: A wake took place on Tuesday, May 26 (after 4:00 p.m.) with a Funeral Wednesday, May 27, at 10:00 a.m.
To honour Vivian’s vibrant spirit and her absolute love for neon bright shirts, we encouraged everyone to skip the traditional black attire and to wear your favourite bright, colourful, or neon clothes to her services as we celebrated the bright light she was in all of our lives. (We kindly ask that you avoid wearing red, please.)
Any questions please contact the family.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
