Vivian Bradley Spurgin

Vivian Spurgin Obituary

August 1922 - December 2014 Vivian Bradley Spurgin passed away peacefully in her home in Marina Del Rey just after Christmas. She was 92. Born in Lindsay, CA on August 26, 1922, she began studying the violin when she was 4. She graduated from Modesto High at 16 and was the youngest Co-Ed at Modesto JC where she continued her musical training. At 18 she was the concertmaster for Meredith Wilson, and began her teaching career at 20. In 1945 she married Herb Spurgin and they were together for over 50 years, both were extremely active in the Santa Monica community. Along the way she spent almost 30 years in the public schools, most of them teaching music at Lincoln Junior High School in Santa Monica. She created and directed "Musical Cheers" which sold out almost every show from 1962 to 1975. She was an active member of the Breakfast Club, Assistance League, and Rotary Anns. In 1982 she was the Humanitarian Award recipient from the National Conference of Christians and Jews which she described as a highlight of her life. After Herb passed away she traveled in Europe, stayed involved with the Santa Monica Retired Teachers Assn, studied French, was part of a monthly bridge club and did voice-over commercials. She is survived by her son Bob, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday January 30th at 2pm at First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica.

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Vivian Spurgin

5 Entries

Laurel Myers-McKenzie

January 29, 2015

I give a nod to this woman who had a passion for music, and the means to teach it enthusiastically to middle school students. It truly takes a special individual to do this! Vivian, I hope you are playing Beethoven string quartets in heaven!

Peter Firth

January 29, 2015

The years I spent in Mixed Chorus (1965-1968) were a time of fun and accomplishment, all because of Vivian Spurgin...... it gave me a wonderful sense of purpose to practice and perform in Musical Cheers, and the opportunities to sing and perform at the many venues we performed during each year were something I'll never forget. Because of you, Mrs. Spurgin, a culture and tradition of music was born and continues to this day, from Vicki Heighton Firth, myself, our children and our grandchildren. I sing your praises every day for giving us all a deep love and appreciation of music and life, Mrs. Spurgin........

Susie Mannon

January 26, 2015

So many wonderful memories of my years at Lincoln and Vivian Spurgin. Musical Cheers, rehearsals, and many other singing engagements...we all had such a good time,mostly because of her. I have thought of her so many times over the years. I feel so lucky to have known her

Cheryl Thorpe - Fulmer

January 26, 2015

I recall that The Spurgins lived just up the street from my family home in Santa Monica. I have such fond memories of Mrs. Spurgin, and of the wonderful opportunities she made available to music students at Lincoln Jr. High.
Of course there were the Musical Cheers productions each year. Anyone recall the little ditty..."What's on TV tonight...what's on TV tonight. There's always something that pleases me. Let's see what's on TV. Dick Van Dyke's the one I like. Dr. Casey sure is racey. The Man From Uncle, he's as boss as he can be. Crazy Cat! What's that?"
But I especially cherish one Christmas holiday evening that our school choir sang Christmas carols at the Nativity Scenes along Palisades Park. And another time we competed in a choir competition that was held in the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium....so exciting to be on the same stage where the Academy Awards were held annually!
My life has been all the richer because of the guidance and brillance of Mrs. Vivian Spurgin.