Mary Jo Vivian (1936-2010)
VIVIAN, PELISSIER, DUNLAP, MARTIN, SCHAUF, ALFORMO, KUMAROO
Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 10/3/2010 at 13:02:15
THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Saturday, September 25, 2010.
After a brief illness, Mary Jo Vivian, of Ames, passed away Friday, Sept. 24, at the Israel Family Hospice House.
Visitation is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at Adams Funeral Home. Memorial services are at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, also at Adams Funeral Home.
Mary Jo was born in Houghton, Michigan, to Frank and Marie (Pelissier) Vivian. After living in Michigan, Wisconsin, Hawaii and California, the family moved to Ames in 1952.
Mary Jo was a graduate of Ames High School and Iowa State University. For 30 years, she held administrative-support positions at Iowa State University in the Departments of Agronomy, English, Plant Pathology, and the Colleges of Agriculture and Liberal Arts and Sciences.
She felt working with students was the most enjoyable and valuable part of her professional life and treasured the many enduring friendships forged over the years.
Mary Jo viewed her 2005 retirement as a gift that finally gave her time to spend with her family, friends and books — the people and interests that she felt were so important. Being a part of her grandchildren’s lives was especially precious to her.
Mary Jo’s five children survive her: Jeff Dunlap, of Altoona, Jim (Jane) Dunlap, of Independence, Mo.; Ann (Todd) Martin, of Ames; Mary Vivian, of LaVista, Neb., and Sarah Schauf, of Johnston. She was quick to admit that they gave purpose to her life and enriched it beyond measure.
Her five grandsons and three granddaughters were endless sources of delight for her: John Dunlap, of Milwaukee, Wis., Tim Dunlap, of Des Moines, Jocelyn Alformo, of Independence, Mo.; and from Ames, Kyle Martin, Kurt Martin, Courtney Martin, Jackie Schauf and Seth Kumaroo.
Mary Jo is also survived by three brothers, who since childhood have been her very best friends: John Vivian, of Liberty, Mo.; Jim Vivian, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Buck Vivian, of Grand Island, Neb.; six nieces and one great niece. She was preceded in death by her parents and her very special uncle, Phil Pelissier.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor Mary Jo’s wishes by suggesting that donations could be made to St. Cecilia School or the Ames Public Library.
Adams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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