Brought into the media spotlight by her great-niece Pamela Anderson, Auntie Vie burst onto the scene as Pamela’s biggest supporter on Dancing with the Stars. Unexpectedly, Auntie Vie’s distinctive balance of earned wisdom and chic glamour quickly charmed the media and viewers of all ages. Her door suddenly stormed by cameras and reporters, Auntie Vie never missed a beat. Having harnessed the power of simply being herself, she has captured imaginations and inspired people with her rare pedigree: a down-to-earth farm gal and a sassy tinsel queen bee. And now, author Cathy Converse has captured her story.

Discover Auntie Vie’s life story, along with her fashion advice, best recipes, words of wisdom, and thoughts on aging and the power of dance. This glamour grandma is revealed in a scrapbook, packed with full-color photographs, about one woman’s life, lessons, and infectious sparkle. Born in a time before television, and now a media sensation, Auntie Vie’s pearls and pickles philosophy is sure to delight and inspire.

“Remember, all life needs a little sparkle once in a while.” —Auntie Vie

Cathy Converse is the author of Following the Curve of Time and MainStays: Women Who Shaped BC, the co-author of The Remarkable World of Frances Barkley, and the co-editor of In Her Own Right: Selected Essays on the History of Women in BC. She is a founder of the Camosun College Women's Studies curriculum and ancillary programs, and a former department chair and instructor. Cathy is also Auntie Vie's neighbor.

Visit Cathy online at www.cathyconverse.com.

Cathy Converse's profile page

Adam Sawatsky's profile page

Vie is an irresistible ray of sunshine that warms you with down-to-earth kindness, sparkles with flirtatious humor and radiates appreciation for living in the moment. If you're not lucky enough to meet her, try basking in this delightful memoir. Virginia Keast, Western Producer, eTalk

Auntie Vie is the epitome of a great Victorian lady; exuding style, elegance, grace and class. Rob Anderson, Manager, Afternoon Tea, The Fairmont Empress

Auntie Vie is a big, bold, gregarious personality with a penchant for enthusiastic pickling, enormous hats and retro sunglasses. The Times Colonist

Covering local news, you get to meet all kinds of people. No one, in my 30 years experience, stands out like Auntie Vie. For us, she was the brightest star of Dancing with the Stars. Vie is an inspiration with her spunk, spark, and spirit. And her pies and pickles are perfection!Hudson Mack, Director of News & Information Programming, /A\ Vancouver Island.

Photographer Rolf Hicker blogs about his experiences photographing Auntie Vie for the book, Auntie Vie: A Life of Pickles and Pearls