January 17, 1930 – December 23, 2022
Vi was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be sorely missed. She has joined Paul, her devoted husband of 65 years who cherished her dearly and predeceased her five years ago. Vi is survived by her daughter Christine Reich and her husband Paul, and her son John Walquist and his wife Eva, and together their nine grandchildren.
Vi graduated from UCLA in 1952 with honors and a BA in secondary teaching and soon after organized the girls’ Physical Education Department at the newly constructed Paul Revere Junior High School. She left teaching in 1959 to help Paul establish his dental practice in Pacific Palisades. While raising their children, Vi tapped into her boundless energy to support youth activities and was a teacher’s aid, a Blue Bird and Cub Scout leader, a Bible teacher, and a sponsor for high school and college church groups.
Together with her sisters and brother Vi established a catering business, and she fostered her love of cooking among her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of Bel Air Presbyterian Church for 25 years where she served as wedding director and was involved with their Prison Task Force, an outreach program for adolescent boys and girls. For the past 20 years, she has been a member of the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, volunteering her services as deacon and to the church’s catering needs.
Upon retirement and in honor of Paul’s naval service during the Korean War, they became active in the local American Legion Post 283. Vi served as president and treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary and was passionate about Girls’ State. She was proud and gratified to serve veterans, active military, their families and community.
Vi and Paul were long-time members of the Riviera Tennis Club. Vi loved gardening and devoted time to the Pacific Palisades Garden Club in the beautification of the town she loved so much. Their travels took them to many places around the world, but they always treasured their Palisades home. We will dearly miss Vi’s wise advice and loving kindness.
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