Fodor, Viola
Viola Fodor
February 5, 1949 – March 9, 2020
The family, friends, and clients of Viola Fodor mark with sorrow her passing to the next life in the early hours of March 9, 2020 at the age of 71, after an illness of many years that had no definitive diagnosis or treatment. She passed away in Brantford, just the way she lived—with full awareness, being loved by so many and loving all.
The wife of Julian van Gorder and daughter of late Frank and Grace Fodor of Warburg, Alberta, Viola is survived by siblings Violet (Sajid) Aziz and Frank (Violet) Fodor and nephews and nieces Kenneth, Lorena, Sacha, Ramona, and Jolene and their families. She was predeceased by sister Elizabeth (John) Hum.
Viola was born in Drumheller, Alberta and grew up in Warburg where she completed high school. She received her B.Ed. (1974) and M.Ed. (1979) from the University of Alberta. Soon after, she moved to Victoria and then to Vancouver where she started her private practice in 1981. In 1984, she moved to Ontario where she continued her work.
Viola’s career evolved as she created and founded Life Process Transformation™. A gifted psychotherapist registered with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (formerly OACCPP), she led workshops for lay and professional groups using a humanistic/transpersonal perspective. She was a frequent speaker on stress, depression, eating disorders, personal transformation and spirituality. Also an insightful writer, she authored Desperately Seeking Self, Where Have I Been All My Life? and much more.
To learn more about Viola’s work and Life Process Transformation™. please visit ViolaFodor.com. Her teachings live on through the thousands of people she helped and those she trained to continue her work.
Viola shared with her clients a reverence for the healing power of a quiet mind. With transformative gentle grace, she met people where they were at in their lives and guided them with genuine compassion and empathy, like a spiritual force of nature that brought people to their best selves.
Viola held an enduring love for all family, relatives, friends, clients, and her beloved furry companions. She loved silence (Quiet Time), her work, nature, art, antiques, garage sales, as well as travelling, walking her dogs, and her idyllic home and office on the bank of the Grand River in Paris.
At Viola’s request, there will be no funeral service but rather a Celebration of Life, which will be planned for late spring – date, time and place to be determined. To confirm details, please check https://www.violafodor.com or the Tranquility website below to confirm details.
Online condolences may be shared on https://www.violafodor.com. or https://tranquilitycremation.com/fodor-viola/
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated by the family:
The Alzheimer Societies of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton
Niagara Region for the Self-Care for the Caregiver Program
“Our universe just relinquished one of its greatest gifts.”
Sadly, I am just seeing this now…many years after her passing.
How privileged I feel to have known Viola, although for a short time, when I was a young lady dating her step son, Charlie. I remember clearly how she helped to create a space where I felt very welcome and safe. I remember her, beautiful calm energy.
How fortuitous and interesting that I have ended up a Psychologist, practicing and teaching mindfulness.
Thank you Viola for being a beautiful presence in the world and having touched so many people’s lives in such an impactful way.
Viola was an amazing therapist and friend who over 30 years ago introduced me to the practice mindfulness which she called “quiet time”. Viola’s ideas were ground-breaking at the time and provided a gentle but powerful approach to help clients access their inner wisdom and healing. I personally experienced and observed the profound impact of her work in my own life and in the lives of her clients, many of whom suffered from life-threatening eating disorders. She was an inspiration to me and to the large community of former clients and friends whose lives were forever changed by her message and her teachings.
I am saddened to learn of Viola’s passing. I was honored to participate in one of her life transformation courses (along with Janet Lovegrove) some years ago. Viola was a caring, respectful, compassionate, quiet and nurturing person who was skilled at making me feel welcome, valued, respected and more positive in my life. While our paths crossed only for a portion of time, she has left a permanent mark in my mind, heart and soul.
While I was washing my face the yesterday morning, at my home in West Vancouver, Vi clearly came into my mind – out of the blue! Life had sent us along different paths over the years. A short while afterwards, checking my email, I understood WHY; I learned of her time to journey forward to that great next dimension of life: Vi had popped in to visit me, now free to go anywhere she wishes in a split second! I felt comforted and uplifted through the tears.
We had been very close friends in Vancouver & Victoria, BC, for many years; first meeting while I worked part time while at UBC, at a ‘hip’ Boutique in Vancouver, often wearing the ‘Hot Pants & High Boots’ fashion of the ’70s! She also became close to my Mom & older brother sharing many fun times together. Those memories are so fresh in my heart & mind, until we meet again!
As we go on in life, we all face various challenges. Vi met hers with courage and gentle strength of spirit, with her Soulmate hubby, Julian and her pets beside her, sharing a delightfully happy life together, as Vi pursued her life’s passions, in a beautiful home environment. All of Vi’s determined, personal hard work had taken her to this ‘Gift’.
Of course I was deeply saddened to hear that Vi had completed her purpose here, ready to travel on to a new life adventure, while never being far away from her loved ones and friends.
I’m sending my loving, comforting wishes particularly to Julian, Violet, Sajid and Frank at this very emotionally challenging time. I feel very strongly that Vi’s so close by, trying to tell you she’s fine and dandy & to please not to shed tears for her; that you will all meet again at the right time and to watch for her ‘signs’ – I am!
Sorry to hear of Viola’s passing. I did not know her personally but did benefit from attending courses she designed that were delivered most professionally by her colleague Janet Lovegrove. A donation will be made to the Brantford Alzheimer’s Society.