By Nea Maaty, a St. James Town/Moss Park journalist at Focus Media Arts centre.

In this episode reporter Nea Maaty, visits the St. Jamestown neighbourhood to remember and commemorate Vickie Rennie, who was on November 12, 1957, and living on the 19th floor, at 200 Wellesley street, Vickie Rennie will always be remembered as a woman who gave all of her energy and passion to the St. James community; giving seniors support, love, and warmth.

Vickie Rennie died on July 20, 2020. She will always be remembered.

She loved her community passionately and wanted persistently to help with some of the struggles that seniors face because of food insecurity, isolation, and loneliness.

Vickie knew that for Seniors and for people with disabilities,” it is either now or never,” said Shirley Roberts, Coordinator of the Steering Committee at the St. James Town Community Corner (The Corner), where Vickie was one of the original founding members.   According to Shirley, Vickie’s personality was so strong. She insisted at doing things on her own, making sure that things get done and as soon as possible”. “She was very persistent,” said Shirley.

Vickie made a change to seniors in the neighborhood through her volunteer work that she and others were all doing. Most of the seniors that were involved in Vickie’s network got to know each other and began getting active towards their own problems that they faced or pain that they were dealing with. The energy, passion, and love Vickie had towards what she was doing made everyone feel like a family.

Vickie succeeded to use her own struggles as a fuel to solve her community problems. She overcame loneliness by being a part of a huge family by making everyone in her community.