Biography

Vivien Packard Thompson died peacefully on October 21, 2009, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law with her family by her side.

Vivien was born in Albany, NY to Vivien and George Packard and later lived in White Plains, NY before attending Syracuse University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Public School Music.

Prior to her marriage, Vivien pursued a professional singing career in the Metropolitan NY area and sang with the Bell Telephone Hour Chorus directed by Donald Voorhees. She and Herbert, whom she married in 1940, moved to Katonah, NY after WWII. She was active in the Women’s Civic Club and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where she played the organ and was a vocal soloist. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years and also sang solos at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Armonk, NY.

After retirement, she and Herbert made their home in Danby, VT where she was a communicant of Zion Episcopal Church in Manchester and served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader. She started the Rutland Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and led an arthritis self-help course and was a volunteer at Rutland Hospital. Vivien was an avid golfer, and at home in Danby, she enjoyed her garden, her mountain views and her babbling brook.

Vivien moved permanently to Chapel Hill NC in 2004 where she attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and took classes at the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement for several years.

She will be remembered by family and friends for her warm and outgoing personality, her love of family, her interest in politics and current events, and for the beautiful crafts she hand made such as quilts and sweaters for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also considered a first-class baker.

Vivien was predeceased by her husband, Herbert, in 1995. She is survived by her children: Gail Waters and husband, Bruce; Meredith Pixley and husband, George; and Beth Thompson. She leaves her sister, Patricia Williams, and grandchildren Craig Waters and wife, Meledi; Michael Waters and wife, Angela; Erin Carlson and husband, Chris; Kelly Tabolt and husband, Glenn; and Claire and Jason Kaiser. She was blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Sara, Kate, Oleg, Madison and Lauren Waters, Ryan and Andrew Tabolt, and Benjamin And Elizabeth Carlson. Vivien also leaves her faithful rescued Golden Retriever, Amy, who was a faithful companion and constant joy in her life.

Service of Burial and the Holy Eucharist in Celebration of Vivien’s life will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 82 Kimberly Drive, Durham, on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 11 am. The Reverend Robert K. Kaynor will be the celebrant, assisted by The Reverend Dr. W. Derek Shows and The Reverend Louane V. Frey. Interment will be in Danby, VT in November.

The family wishes to express thanks to Vivien’s steadfast caregiver, Cristy Johnson, and to her Hospice team who cared so lovingly for her since March – Diane Wingo, Roberta Wallace, LaVonda Creek, Chaplain Miriam Saxon and Wendy Pease.

In lieu of flowers, Vivien had requested that donations could be made in her memory to Duke HomeCare and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Durham, NC 27704 or to Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, PO 37156, Raleigh, NC 27627.