Editorial: In Memoriam – Vivian Marie Petry Alexander (1934 – 2021)
It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of Vivian Marie Alexander on December 27, 2021, at a residential nursing home in Lombard, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Her life was integral and valued in a way that words cannot express.
Vivian was born at 2:20 a.m. on October 6, 1934, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, to parents Vivian Wendell Petry and Rose Carroll. Vivian was the eldest of three daughters.
Vivian attended Shadeland Elementary, Central Junior High and was a 1952 graduate of Anderson High School. In 1953, Vivian was employed in the office of Attorney Stephen Leonard while attending Indiana Business College. In 1955, she registered Madison County residents for the Democratic Party and became a member of the Madison County Women's Democrat Club. In 1956, she was hired as a legal secretary at Busby, Austin, Cooper and Farr Law Firm, Anderson. She was a charter member and the 1961-62 secretary of the Madison County Legal Secretary Association and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
On August 24, 1970, Vivian was hired as a school secretary for Anderson Community Schools. She was first employed at Washington Elementary until the end of the 1981-82 school year. For the first semester of 1982, she started at Westvale Elementary. The second semester, she transferred to 29th Street Elementary until the close of the 1992–93 school year. The 1993-94 school year, she was the secretary at Franklin Elementary. In 1994, she transferred to Valley Grove Elementary until June 21, 1996. She retired after serving 26 years.
Vivian was married to Jack Logan Alexander by Rev. Monroe G. Schuster in 1953, at 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, at Central Christian Church, Anderson. Attending the couple were Miss Pat Gooding and Dick Spangler. They were married 47 years and together for 52 years.
Jack was a lifelong resident of Anderson, a U. S. Army Veteran, and an elected member of the Anderson City Council. Professionally, Jack was vice president and manager at Anderson Banking Company and later became bank manager of National City Bank, Anderson. Jack retired in 1996 as a vice president of National City Bank. Jack passed away at home on July 2, 2001, at the age of 68. Upon Jack's death, Vivian was asked to complete his 30 year term on the Anderson City Council and his 33 year term on the Anderson Sheriff's Merit Board. Vivian proudly wore her Anderson City Pin everywhere she traveled. Vivian had a lifetime commitment to the Democratic Party. For several years, she would travel with her good friend Donna Davis to National League of Cities national meetings. (Donna served on the Anderson City Council for 36 years.)
When first married, Jack and Vivian had an apartment in 1955 at 712 Phillips Drive and in 1957 314 West 27th Street. In 1958, they purchased their first and only home at 1331 Sheridan Street, Anderson. Vivian was able to stay in her home until May 2021, with the support of her friend and caregiver Amy Merrill. Vivian loved to entertain at her home. All her friends knew they were always welcome anytime and especially for her Friday evening happy hour. After retirement, Vivian loved to meet her friends almost daily for lunch at Meadowbrook Pizza, "High Noon at the Saloon."
Vivian's life was defined by many facets, though most clearly by her love for her family and friends. Vivian was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Anderson. Vivian's domestic travels were also extensive. Her favorite family destination was Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida. She traveled for many years with several close friends, and for several years on Toby Bus Tours. A favorite event was the Fiesta Days in San Antonio, Texas. She visited many ports in several cruises of the Caribbean, a cruise through the Panama Canal, and another around the cape of South America. She was a voracious reader of numerous genres. She had a vast appreciation for live and recorded music, especially jazz, which she enjoyed with her husband. Their favorite musicians were Jack Jones, Johnny Hartman, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Vivian was an ardent supporter of the Anderson Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony Pops. She loved to attend with friends the jazz festivals in Indianapolis. Jack and Vivian frequently traveled to Cincinnati and Chicago to watch their favorite sport, baseball. Her favorite television viewing was of her beloved Derek Jeter with the New York Yankees and celebrity chefs. She also loved quilting, sewing, needlepoint and jigsaw puzzles. She was an avid collector of miniature shoes, travel and political posters, pins, banners, political memorabilia, and her comical kitchen ceiling danglers. Vivian celebrated her experiences and memories through her journals, which detailed every event of her life—every live entertainment, concert, play and movie, especially any starting her favorite actor Robert Redford.
Vivian is survived by a daughter, Robin; three grand-daughters, Alexandra, Priscilla, Gabriella; and one grandson, Wyatt; four great-grandchildren; her sister Ruthann (Ruthie) Petry Hinsch (Anderson HS 1956), South Bend, along with several nieces and nephews. Vivian was also preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Ellen Jeannette Petry Barbre (Anderson HS 1954), Anderson, and a daughter Tari Marie Alexander.
In the north section of Miller's Cemetery, Middletown, IN, there is a cemetery memorial for Vivian near the NE corner and west of the cemetery barn. Her marker is beside her beloved husband Jack, his brothers and his parents. After Jack passed away, Vivian would often crank up her car stereo in the cemetery so Jack and she could enjoy their favorite Jazz artists. Vivian will remain in the heart of her friends forever.
It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of Vivian Marie Alexander on December 27, 2021, at a residential nursing home in Lombard, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Her life was integral and valued in a way that words cannot express.
Vivian was born at 2:20 a.m. on October 6, 1934, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, to parents Vivian Wendell Petry and Rose Carroll. Vivian was the eldest of three daughters.
Vivian attended Shadeland Elementary, Central Junior High and was a 1952 graduate of Anderson High School. In 1953, Vivian was employed in the office of Attorney Stephen Leonard while attending Indiana Business College. In 1955, she registered Madison County residents for the Democratic Party and became a member of the Madison County Women's Democrat Club. In 1956, she was hired as a legal secretary at Busby, Austin, Cooper and Farr Law Firm, Anderson. She was a charter member and the 1961-62 secretary of the Madison County Legal Secretary Association and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
On August 24, 1970, Vivian was hired as a school secretary for Anderson Community Schools. She was first employed at Washington Elementary until the end of the 1981-82 school year. For the first semester of 1982, she started at Westvale Elementary. The second semester, she transferred to 29th Street Elementary until the close of the 1992–93 school year. The 1993-94 school year, she was the secretary at Franklin Elementary. In 1994, she transferred to Valley Grove Elementary until June 21, 1996. She retired after serving 26 years.
Vivian was married to Jack Logan Alexander by Rev. Monroe G. Schuster in 1953, at 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, at Central Christian Church, Anderson. Attending the couple were Miss Pat Gooding and Dick Spangler. They were married 47 years and together for 52 years.
Jack was a lifelong resident of Anderson, a U. S. Army Veteran, and an elected member of the Anderson City Council. Professionally, Jack was vice president and manager at Anderson Banking Company and later became bank manager of National City Bank, Anderson. Jack retired in 1996 as a vice president of National City Bank. Jack passed away at home on July 2, 2001, at the age of 68. Upon Jack's death, Vivian was asked to complete his 30 year term on the Anderson City Council and his 33 year term on the Anderson Sheriff's Merit Board. Vivian proudly wore her Anderson City Pin everywhere she traveled. Vivian had a lifetime commitment to the Democratic Party. For several years, she would travel with her good friend Donna Davis to National League of Cities national meetings. (Donna served on the Anderson City Council for 36 years.)
When first married, Jack and Vivian had an apartment in 1955 at 712 Phillips Drive and in 1957 314 West 27th Street. In 1958, they purchased their first and only home at 1331 Sheridan Street, Anderson. Vivian was able to stay in her home until May 2021, with the support of her friend and caregiver Amy Merrill. Vivian loved to entertain at her home. All her friends knew they were always welcome anytime and especially for her Friday evening happy hour. After retirement, Vivian loved to meet her friends almost daily for lunch at Meadowbrook Pizza, "High Noon at the Saloon."
Vivian's life was defined by many facets, though most clearly by her love for her family and friends. Vivian was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Anderson. Vivian's domestic travels were also extensive. Her favorite family destination was Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida. She traveled for many years with several close friends, and for several years on Toby Bus Tours. A favorite event was the Fiesta Days in San Antonio, Texas. She visited many ports in several cruises of the Caribbean, a cruise through the Panama Canal, and another around the cape of South America. She was a voracious reader of numerous genres. She had a vast appreciation for live and recorded music, especially jazz, which she enjoyed with her husband. Their favorite musicians were Jack Jones, Johnny Hartman, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Vivian was an ardent supporter of the Anderson Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony Pops. She loved to attend with friends the jazz festivals in Indianapolis. Jack and Vivian frequently traveled to Cincinnati and Chicago to watch their favorite sport, baseball. Her favorite television viewing was of her beloved Derek Jeter with the New York Yankees and celebrity chefs. She also loved quilting, sewing, needlepoint and jigsaw puzzles. She was an avid collector of miniature shoes, travel and political posters, pins, banners, political memorabilia, and her comical kitchen ceiling danglers. Vivian celebrated her experiences and memories through her journals, which detailed every event of her life—every live entertainment, concert, play and movie, especially any starting her favorite actor Robert Redford.
Vivian is survived by a daughter, Robin; three grand-daughters, Alexandra, Priscilla, Gabriella; and one grandson, Wyatt; four great-grandchildren; her sister Ruthann (Ruthie) Petry Hinsch (Anderson HS 1956), South Bend, along with several nieces and nephews. Vivian was also preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Ellen Jeannette Petry Barbre (Anderson HS 1954), Anderson, and a daughter Tari Marie Alexander.
In the north section of Miller's Cemetery, Middletown, IN, there is a cemetery memorial for Vivian near the NE corner and west of the cemetery barn. Her marker is beside her beloved husband Jack, his brothers and his parents. After Jack passed away, Vivian would often crank up her car stereo in the cemetery so Jack and she could enjoy their favorite Jazz artists. Vivian will remain in the heart of her friends forever.
Editorial: In Memoriam – Vivian Marie Petry Alexander (1934 – 2021)
It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of Vivian Marie Alexander on December 27, 2021, at a residential nursing home in Lombard, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Her life was integral and valued in a way that words cannot express.
Vivian was born at 2:20 a.m. on October 6, 1934, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, to parents Vivian Wendell Petry and Rose Carroll. Vivian was the eldest of three daughters.
Vivian attended Shadeland Elementary, Central Junior High and was a 1952 graduate of Anderson High School. In 1953, Vivian was employed in the office of Attorney Stephen Leonard while attending Indiana Business College. In 1955, she registered Madison County residents for the Democratic Party and became a member of the Madison County Women's Democrat Club. In 1956, she was hired as a legal secretary at Busby, Austin, Cooper and Farr Law Firm, Anderson. She was a charter member and the 1961-62 secretary of the Madison County Legal Secretary Association and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
On August 24, 1970, Vivian was hired as a school secretary for Anderson Community Schools. She was first employed at Washington Elementary until the end of the 1981-82 school year. For the first semester of 1982, she started at Westvale Elementary. The second semester, she transferred to 29th Street Elementary until the close of the 1992–93 school year. The 1993-94 school year, she was the secretary at Franklin Elementary. In 1994, she transferred to Valley Grove Elementary until June 21, 1996. She retired after serving 26 years.
Vivian was married to Jack Logan Alexander by Rev. Monroe G. Schuster in 1953, at 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, at Central Christian Church, Anderson. Attending the couple were Miss Pat Gooding and Dick Spangler. They were married 47 years and together for 52 years.
Jack was a lifelong resident of Anderson, a U. S. Army Veteran, and an elected member of the Anderson City Council. Professionally, Jack was vice president and manager at Anderson Banking Company and later became bank manager of National City Bank, Anderson. Jack retired in 1996 as a vice president of National City Bank. Jack passed away at home on July 2, 2001, at the age of 68. Upon Jack's death, Vivian was asked to complete his 30 year term on the Anderson City Council and his 33 year term on the Anderson Sheriff's Merit Board. Vivian proudly wore her Anderson City Pin everywhere she traveled. Vivian had a lifetime commitment to the Democratic Party. For several years, she would travel with her good friend Donna Davis to National League of Cities national meetings. (Donna served on the Anderson City Council for 36 years.)
When first married, Jack and Vivian had an apartment in 1955 at 712 Phillips Drive and in 1957 314 West 27th Street. In 1958, they purchased their first and only home at 1331 Sheridan Street, Anderson. Vivian was able to stay in her home until May 2021, with the support of her friend and caregiver Amy Merrill. Vivian loved to entertain at her home. All her friends knew they were always welcome anytime and especially for her Friday evening happy hour. After retirement, Vivian loved to meet her friends almost daily for lunch at Meadowbrook Pizza, "High Noon at the Saloon."
Vivian's life was defined by many facets, though most clearly by her love for her family and friends. Vivian was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Anderson. Vivian's domestic travels were also extensive. Her favorite family destination was Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida. She traveled for many years with several close friends, and for several years on Toby Bus Tours. A favorite event was the Fiesta Days in San Antonio, Texas. She visited many ports in several cruises of the Caribbean, a cruise through the Panama Canal, and another around the cape of South America. She was a voracious reader of numerous genres. She had a vast appreciation for live and recorded music, especially jazz, which she enjoyed with her husband. Their favorite musicians were Jack Jones, Johnny Hartman, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Vivian was an ardent supporter of the Anderson Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony Pops. She loved to attend with friends the jazz festivals in Indianapolis. Jack and Vivian frequently traveled to Cincinnati and Chicago to watch their favorite sport, baseball. Her favorite television viewing was of her beloved Derek Jeter with the New York Yankees and celebrity chefs. She also loved quilting, sewing, needlepoint and jigsaw puzzles. She was an avid collector of miniature shoes, travel and political posters, pins, banners, political memorabilia, and her comical kitchen ceiling danglers. Vivian celebrated her experiences and memories through her journals, which detailed every event of her life—every live entertainment, concert, play and movie, especially any starting her favorite actor Robert Redford.
Vivian is survived by a daughter, Robin; three grand-daughters, Alexandra, Priscilla, Gabriella; and one grandson, Wyatt; four great-grandchildren; her sister Ruthann (Ruthie) Petry Hinsch (Anderson HS 1956), South Bend, along with several nieces and nephews. Vivian was also preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Ellen Jeannette Petry Barbre (Anderson HS 1954), Anderson, and a daughter Tari Marie Alexander.
In the north section of Miller's Cemetery, Middletown, IN, there is a cemetery memorial for Vivian near the NE corner and west of the cemetery barn. Her marker is beside her beloved husband Jack, his brothers and his parents. After Jack passed away, Vivian would often crank up her car stereo in the cemetery so Jack and she could enjoy their favorite Jazz artists. Vivian will remain in the heart of her friends forever.
It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of Vivian Marie Alexander on December 27, 2021, at a residential nursing home in Lombard, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Her life was integral and valued in a way that words cannot express.
Vivian was born at 2:20 a.m. on October 6, 1934, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, to parents Vivian Wendell Petry and Rose Carroll. Vivian was the eldest of three daughters.
Vivian attended Shadeland Elementary, Central Junior High and was a 1952 graduate of Anderson High School. In 1953, Vivian was employed in the office of Attorney Stephen Leonard while attending Indiana Business College. In 1955, she registered Madison County residents for the Democratic Party and became a member of the Madison County Women's Democrat Club. In 1956, she was hired as a legal secretary at Busby, Austin, Cooper and Farr Law Firm, Anderson. She was a charter member and the 1961-62 secretary of the Madison County Legal Secretary Association and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
On August 24, 1970, Vivian was hired as a school secretary for Anderson Community Schools. She was first employed at Washington Elementary until the end of the 1981-82 school year. For the first semester of 1982, she started at Westvale Elementary. The second semester, she transferred to 29th Street Elementary until the close of the 1992–93 school year. The 1993-94 school year, she was the secretary at Franklin Elementary. In 1994, she transferred to Valley Grove Elementary until June 21, 1996. She retired after serving 26 years.
Vivian was married to Jack Logan Alexander by Rev. Monroe G. Schuster in 1953, at 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, at Central Christian Church, Anderson. Attending the couple were Miss Pat Gooding and Dick Spangler. They were married 47 years and together for 52 years.
Jack was a lifelong resident of Anderson, a U. S. Army Veteran, and an elected member of the Anderson City Council. Professionally, Jack was vice president and manager at Anderson Banking Company and later became bank manager of National City Bank, Anderson. Jack retired in 1996 as a vice president of National City Bank. Jack passed away at home on July 2, 2001, at the age of 68. Upon Jack's death, Vivian was asked to complete his 30 year term on the Anderson City Council and his 33 year term on the Anderson Sheriff's Merit Board. Vivian proudly wore her Anderson City Pin everywhere she traveled. Vivian had a lifetime commitment to the Democratic Party. For several years, she would travel with her good friend Donna Davis to National League of Cities national meetings. (Donna served on the Anderson City Council for 36 years.)
When first married, Jack and Vivian had an apartment in 1955 at 712 Phillips Drive and in 1957 314 West 27th Street. In 1958, they purchased their first and only home at 1331 Sheridan Street, Anderson. Vivian was able to stay in her home until May 2021, with the support of her friend and caregiver Amy Merrill. Vivian loved to entertain at her home. All her friends knew they were always welcome anytime and especially for her Friday evening happy hour. After retirement, Vivian loved to meet her friends almost daily for lunch at Meadowbrook Pizza, "High Noon at the Saloon."
Vivian's life was defined by many facets, though most clearly by her love for her family and friends. Vivian was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Anderson. Vivian's domestic travels were also extensive. Her favorite family destination was Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida. She traveled for many years with several close friends, and for several years on Toby Bus Tours. A favorite event was the Fiesta Days in San Antonio, Texas. She visited many ports in several cruises of the Caribbean, a cruise through the Panama Canal, and another around the cape of South America. She was a voracious reader of numerous genres. She had a vast appreciation for live and recorded music, especially jazz, which she enjoyed with her husband. Their favorite musicians were Jack Jones, Johnny Hartman, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Vivian was an ardent supporter of the Anderson Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony Pops. She loved to attend with friends the jazz festivals in Indianapolis. Jack and Vivian frequently traveled to Cincinnati and Chicago to watch their favorite sport, baseball. Her favorite television viewing was of her beloved Derek Jeter with the New York Yankees and celebrity chefs. She also loved quilting, sewing, needlepoint and jigsaw puzzles. She was an avid collector of miniature shoes, travel and political posters, pins, banners, political memorabilia, and her comical kitchen ceiling danglers. Vivian celebrated her experiences and memories through her journals, which detailed every event of her life—every live entertainment, concert, play and movie, especially any starting her favorite actor Robert Redford.
Vivian is survived by a daughter, Robin; three grand-daughters, Alexandra, Priscilla, Gabriella; and one grandson, Wyatt; four great-grandchildren; her sister Ruthann (Ruthie) Petry Hinsch (Anderson HS 1956), South Bend, along with several nieces and nephews. Vivian was also preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Ellen Jeannette Petry Barbre (Anderson HS 1954), Anderson, and a daughter Tari Marie Alexander.
In the north section of Miller's Cemetery, Middletown, IN, there is a cemetery memorial for Vivian near the NE corner and west of the cemetery barn. Her marker is beside her beloved husband Jack, his brothers and his parents. After Jack passed away, Vivian would often crank up her car stereo in the cemetery so Jack and she could enjoy their favorite Jazz artists. Vivian will remain in the heart of her friends forever.
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
