Vivi was diagnosed with metastasized melanoma in June of 1999. She continued creating exceptional paintings and kept her schedule of personal appearances between aggressive treatments. In early March, Vivi was present at the unveiling of her last painting "... and Fancy Free" at Sotheby's in Jackson, Wyoming. The painting was auctioned off at the CES Foundation Gala where she was chosen "Artist of the year 2000".

Vivi lost her fight with cancer on April 30th 2000, but continues to live on through her art.