Freeport
Vivien E. Sullivan, of Freeport, went home to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior, and her beloved family member in heaven on January 1, 2012. She was 98 years old.
Vivien was born August 29, 1913 in Freeport to Oliver and Nellie (Haren) Walkey. She attended Freeport schools and it was there she married and raised her family. Vivien married her beloved husband and devoted partner of 25 years, the late Attorney, Edward J. Sullivan, on January 23, 1937. Cherished mother to Colette (Thomas) Tucker of Jeffersonville, Indiana and Sharon (John) Fessler of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Ed and Vivien shard a strong, loving marriage, but her husband died of cancer at the age of 56 on February 4, 1962.
Finding herself a widow at 48 and with 2 daughters still in school, Vivien went to work at Freeport Memorial Hospital as the chief ward clerk and eventually Jane Adams Mental Health Center as an office manager for a combined 20 years.
Through example, Vivien continued to teach her daughters unconditional love, true Christian values and morals, placing the needs of other first, having a servant's heart, and embracing every day of one's life. Family was the central focus of Vivien's life. Her greatest joy was the cherished love and her life with her late husband, her 2 daughters, and their families.
Eventually, Vivien became a very loving grandmother to John (Robin) Tucker, Dr. James (Kie) Tucker, Matthew (Kari) Tucker, Ann (Andrew) Takami and Daniel Fessler. She was blessed with 6 great grandchildren, Caitlyn and Seth Tucker, Nicole and Nathaniel Tucker, Grace Ann Takami, and Jeffrey Tucker. They will all be her legacy of love.
Those whose lives Vivien touched referred to her as being a gentle woman of much integrity, strength, and goodness and was referred by many as a "true lady." She was an avid fiction and nonfiction reader, enjoyed following politics, performed years of volunteering and had a penchant for remembering a relative or dear friends Birthday with a card every single year.
Vivien was confronted with numerous adversities and challenges in her lifetime, showing unyielding faith, perseverance, and courage and never complained. She lived the verse she believed in: Philippians 4:13"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." She deeply embraced Psalms 27.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Hope Tracy, and 2 infant great grandchildren, Natalie and William Tucker.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Msgr P. William McDonnell officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday 10 a.m. until time of service at the church.
Vivien requested in lieu of flowers any memorials be given to St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church of which she has been a life time member.
Please view the Family Guest Book and sign the condolence page at www.walkermortuary.com