Vivian C Peck

Apple Valley - Vivian "Vi" Peck passed away on November 12, 2024. True to her wishes, news of her passing was delayed until after the holiday season. She would have found it fitting that this announcement comes during the month of her birth.

Vi was born on March 1, 1935, in New York City to James and Catherine Petruzzi, the third of four children. Her older sister Rose eventually moved to the West Coast, and in 1953, Vi relocated to Oregon with her younger brother John, soon followed by their older brother James.

Through her sister Rose, Vi met Hector Smith, whom she later married. Together, they had two children, Cathy and Ron. In the early years, she worked in the insurance industry while raising her family. She was active with the Eugene Highlanders Bagpipe Band and served as publicity and program chairman for the Insurance Women of Lane County. With over 18 years of experience in casualty underwriting and adjusting, she made a lasting impact in her field.

Determined to learn to swim alongside her children, Vi not only mastered the skill but became a lifeguard and later a certified swim instructor at Sheldon Pool in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Following her divorce from Hector, Vi pursued a new career path, joining the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce as a convention coordinator from 1971 to 1977. She later became sales director for the Holiday Inn of Eugene and remained active in event planning throughout her career. She was also the first president of the Daisy Ducks, a University of Oregon booster group.

Vi later met and married Ralph Peck, with whom she shared a life filled with love, friendship, hunting, fishing, and travel. She remained an avid swimmer and found joy in oil painting, gifting many with her artwork.

She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Peck, sister Rose Raifsnider, and brothers James and John Petruzzi. She is survived by her daughter Cathy Briggs (Steve Perron), son Ron Smith (Dana), grandchildren Billy Briggs, Alex Briggs, Ryan Cunningham, Zander Smith, and Zane Smith; step-grandchildren Justine Perron, Samantha Perron, and Amanda Heim; seven great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and of course so many friends.

At Vi's request, no services will be held. Instead, she wished to be remembered with a toast of Scotch in celebration of a life well-loved and well-lived.