Obituary
Victoria (Vicky) Popowich—dedicated wife and partner, loving mother, caring nurse—passed away peacefully December 2, 2022, in Edmonton.
Family and nursing were anchors in Vicky’s life. Her passion and commitment to the health and wellbeing of children was shared by her late husband, Dr. Jack Popowich. For much of their 54- year marriage, the couple worked as partners in the child health clinics they helped establish.
Following their retirement in the early 2000s, Vicky lost Jack in 2016, caring for him with love and dedication in the final years of his life. Her strong spirit lives on in sons, Michael and Jon, who were her light and purpose. Her memory is cherished by siblings: Judy Otteson, Mark Johnson, Kogaylene Ruddick, and Lucky Johnson. Vicky was predeceased by parents, Aubrey Beaveridge and Vera; and stepfather, Axel Johnson.
Vicky was born in 1941 in Edmonton and spent her childhood in South Cooking Lake. She graduated in 1961 from the Misericordia School of Nursing and, a decade later, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Nursing and taught at the Royal Alexandra School of Nursing. She married Jack in 1962, and they built a full, rich life together revolving around their sons, friends, colleagues, and their shared commitment to their patients.
Vicky and Jack were true partners, providing exceptional care while mentoring the medical students and care teams who supported families—especially those at risk. In the clinic, Vicky’s calm and practical approach put families at ease. She often went the extra mile to make sure anxious parents and patients knew they were not alone. Vicky’s insights and experience helped shape Jack’s efforts to establish busy Child Health Clinics at the Misericordia and Grey Nuns Community Hospitals, as well as the region’s Adolescent Pediatric Program. Together they also created a thriving rural pediatric outreach program.
Vicky was pragmatic, independent, strong, and determined. She loved to travel, savouring the majesty of Rocky Mountains and the open vistas of Hawaii. Vicky and Jack instilled in their family a passion for the mountains and the outdoors.
Cared for by her son, Mike, in her final months at home and then in the Grey Nuns Tertiary Palliative Care unit, Vicky experienced the compassion, attention, and kindness that characterized the care she provided to so many young patients and their families in her nursing career. The family is grateful to the Palliative Home Care Team and the Unit 43 team at the Grey Nuns for ensuring Vicky’s final days were lived with love and dignity.
At Vicky and her family’s request, there will be no service. If you wish, please remember Vicky with a donation to any organization that cares for the health of children and families, or to the Covenant Child Health Clinics, or the Grey Nuns Unit 43 Tertiary Palliative Care Unit through the Covenant Health Foundation.
