Vivian Pennock

Vivian Yvonne Pennock was a beautiful daughter, wonderful friend and a multi-talented person. Her curiosity was sharp and her energy was robust. She made herself available to people and heard their concerns, but seldom complained about her own. To say that Vivian was a “server and a caretaker” and a “hugger and a giver” is an attempt to let the world know what she meant to her family and friends.

Born August 29, 1998 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Vivian Yvonne was the daughter of Eric Pennock and Terri Doezema Pennock. As a child, she was a “tomboy,” climbing trees, building forts and boxing, and the older she grew the more fearless she became. Her outdoor sporting activities ranged from mountain climbing to whitewater rafting to canyoneering—the “mother of all” outdoor activities that involved climbing, rappelling, hiking and swimming as well as problem-solving and route-mapping. Funny thing was, no matter how boisterous the activity, Vivian’s hair always maintained its natural beauty. Her adventurous nature took almost instantaneously to the many expeditions she shared with her mother, who considered Vivian her best friend. Some of the special times they shared together included whitewater rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, their canyoneering trip at Zion National Park, hiking the AT, climbing at Arches National Park in addition to digging for clams in Maine. For Vivian, there weren't any roller coasters or amusement rides too high or fast for her.

Vivian lived with her mother on the city’s west side after her parents divorced and graduated from West Side Christian School. She was a junior at Grand Rapids Christian High School with friends she loved, and she told them so. Her concern for them was real and her care was genuine. Vivian loved her family and friends with every once of her being and never hesitated in letting them know her love for them. Her "I love you's" will always resonate her care, compassion and deep rooted love for those around her. Vivian listened with an open mind and responded with a generous heart. Even if it meant staying up into the wee hours, she always made herself available to anyone who needed a listening ear or someone to talk to.

Vivian’s compassion extended to animals as well, especially rescue pets. She adopted Lefty, a pitbull with whom she loved playing tug-of-war with, Misu, a chow-golden retriever, and Jantje, a cat she found in the woods. Needless to say, the house was full and overflowing with evidence of Vivian’s many interests.

Vivian was a very talented photographer. With ways all her own, she found beauty in what most would view as common, photographing it brilliantly, and expressing it poetically. She also loved poetry and music. Her tastes ran from emerging artists and Indie groups to rock bands and established artists, with 21 Pilots, Imagine Dragons and Adele numbering among her favorites. In the culinary arts, Vivian explored French, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine as well as other ethnic dishes. She especially relished the Vietnamese noodle salad Bun Cha Gio and Thai bubble tea, but most any farm-to-table meal made the “foodie” in her very happy.

True to her nature, Vivian made others happy. With her wonderful sense of humor, she would do almost anything silly to make someone laugh. She was a delight to know and love by those who had the privilege of knowing her. In her all too brief 17 years of life, she lived fully and completely at every opportunity. Her memory will remain a precious gift to those who knew and loved her best. Sadly, her life came to an end on Friday, December 4, 2015. She will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by her family and her many friends.

Vivian Yvonne Pennock, age 17, went to be with her Lord on Friday, December 4, 2015. She is survived by her parents, Terri Rozema and Jim Rozema and Eric and Phyllis Pennock; her grandparents, John and Judy Doezema, Lucille Palmatier, Gil and Cherie Kitchen and Jayne Rohner (dec’d). Additional family includes Simone, Erys, Jordan, (Giselle), Briana, E’lise (Yomoney), Devan, Isabella and Sophie; Terri’s sisters; Jodi Doezema and her children, Cassandra, Alexis and J.R., Jessica McCormick and her son Logan, Shauna Kitchen, and Rebecca Vedder and her children Riley and Makayla. Eric’s sister, Melissa (Jim) Polakavich and their children, Alexandra, Jacob and Tucker (dec’d) and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 7 PM Thursday evening at Madison Square Christian Reformed Church, 1441 Madison SE. Friends may meet the family on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW and on Thursday at the church one hour prior to the service. Contributions in Vivian's memory may be made to DeVos Children's Hospital or to the Madison Square Christian Reformed Church Youth Group. To leave a memory, sign the online guestbook or make a memorial contributions please visit www.lifestorynet.com.