Vivian Angeline Hatcher

Vivian Angeline Hatcher nee Lemon was born 80 years ago in rural Wisconsin. She was the fourth child in a family of six children, one of whom preceded her in death. She, with her family, moved to Berrien Springs while she was still in elementary school.  She returned to Wisconsin to attend an academy, and there she met her future husband, Ted Hatcher.  Just last year they celebrated 61 years of marriage. Their family grew to include four children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, all of whom survive her as does her husband. Early on Vivian worked at a number of occupations in an effort to earn her “pht.” (“Putting hubby through.”) Even after Ted graduated and was employed, she continued to work as a secretary. Since she had long dreamed of being a nurse, when the children were a little older, she decided to return to school and subsequently earned her BSN degree.  She worked as a nurse at a couple of area hospitals, but the major part of her nursing career was spent at Memorial Hospital in South Bend Indiana, from which she retired. Music was always a part of her life. Singing and playing the piano helped to instill the love of music in her children. She was a beloved mother to her family, but in addition, there were others who “adopted” her as a surrogate mother or grandmother. She made friends easily, and she has many friends, both here and in Maui, HI, where she and Ted, have spent several winters. As mentioned above, most of her siblings survive her as do many cousins, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. A memorial service is being planned for May 30.  Those wishing to share a memory of Vivian online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com.