Vicki Langdon

Vicki Ann (Zinn) Langdon passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, April 5, 2025, under the attentive care of nurses at Hospice House in Cape Coral, Florida.

A devout Catholic, Vicki believed in an afterlife where she would once again see her father and mother, Justin "Jud" and Angela Zinn, and two brothers, Justin and Alan Zinn who predeceased her; especially brother, Alan, and father who both died unexpectedly when Vicki was only 19 and 21 years old, respectively. Vicki is survived by her elder sister Constance (Rudy) Stuppnig, husband Dean Alan Langdon, and all children and grandchildren.

Born in Lansing, Michigan, Vicki grew up in the shadows of Michigan State University where her father was a professor of geology in the College of Natural Science. Vicki attended East Lansing schools where she graduated in 1966. Originally aiming to attend a school farther from home, Vicki would ultimately remain in the area, attend MSU, and received her degree in Business Education from the Eli Broad College of Business in 1971. Vicki bled green and white, always enjoyed visiting campus, and enjoyed following MSU sports.

Her choice to stay home for college not only shaped her professional career, but it also led to a serendipitous blind date arranged by Vicki's best friend and Dean's brother who were friends. Only two weeks prior to Dean departing for Vietnam, they would continue to build their relationship through hundreds of personal letters sent overseas. Vicki and Dean married on September 6, 1969 in East Lansing following completion of Dean's military service.

Vicki and Dean had two children, Angela (George) West and Eric (Tara) Langdon and raised them in North Muskegon, Michigan. Vicki managed the house both in her desire for organization and cleanliness. Working two jobs for many years, she was always a devoted mother who prepared daily bag lunches in the mornings and never let a hectic schedule get in the way of preparing family dinners most weeknights and Sunday afternoons. Good manners were mandatory and Vicki's demands for proper English irked Angela and Eric as children, but were an example appreciated into adulthood and are endearing now in reflection upon her passing. Angela's children are now irked by the same from her propensity to correct just as Vicki had done.

In retirement, Vicki and Dean moved to Fort Myers, Florida to escape the snow and cold of Michigan winters. You could often find Vicki playing bridge, a favorite pastime. Though a beautiful destination, Vicki struggled with the distance from her beloved grandchildren; George Junior and Keyenna, and by marriage Scott, Kelsey, and Gavin West (Angela), and Lorenzo and Nikolai Langdon (Eric) all living in Michigan. She cherished every video call that bridged the 1,300-mile gap to family she adored.

As Vicki's physical health declined, so too did her emotional well-being. Dean was the primary caregiver while managing the household for the months and years leading up to her passing and visited day and night through multiple hospital stays during that last year. While everyone would have preferred the final goodbye be in person, Dean passed along multiple "I love yous" from family on a conference call. Vicki, unable to easily form words, reciprocated by kissing her hand then extending her arm to gesture her reciprocated love.

While grieving, the family relishes that Vicki's strong faith guided her in her final moments. Aware of the approaching end and prepared to move on, Vicki's heart was full as she held her final hand of cards, looked the opposition in the eye, and left this world calling an opening bid of 2 clubs - the strongest opening bid a bridge player can make.

Family will be hosting a gathering to celebrate Vicki's life on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel, 636 Auditorium Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts honoring her memory be directed in support of the MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel (https://give.msu.edu/?sid=20893) to honor her faith and Spartan pride.