Vivian June Lamb

Vivian Lamb Obituary
Vivian June Lamb (1927-2025), beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law was born in the year that Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic. Not surprisingly, she was a world traveler who saw almost every country on the European and North American continents plus the Caribbean islands. Her father and grandparents were Italian immigrants, and she was very proud of her Italian heritage. She grew up poor during the Depression Era. Nevertheless, she won a "Shirley Temple Lookalike Contest" and got her photo in all the Pittsburgh newspapers. During her teens she received free fencing lessons from Gene Kelly's sister, Harriet. Vivian graduated near the top of her class at Peabody High School where she won a dress design award with her sewing partner, famed African American artist, Moselle Thompson. In 1945 she was voted the "Sweetheart of Sigma Chi". She became a successful saleswoman, having worked for Woolworths, Kaufmanns, L.C. Keepsakes, and the Mary Holland Company. Her son, Kevin followed her in a successful sales career. A high school volleyball player, Vivian was a great Pittsburgh sports fan. Her uncles were professional boxers, Carmen and Tony Notch, and for decades she never missed a Steeler or Pitt basketball home game. She loved the Villanova Wildcats too where her son and granddaughter played on nationally ranked football and basketball teams. "Viv" enjoyed singing Harry Belafonte songs in the car with her grandchildren and was famous for her pasta, meatballs, and "Grandma's Chocolate Cake". In 1962, she astounded the men who ran the DeHaven Little League Baseball Organization by applying for a manager's position (the first woman to ever do so). They turned her down but not before she made her point about the manager's kid getting the most playing time regardless of skill. She was motivated to overcome obstacles, and she motivated others to do the same /even at the age of nearly 98). Vivian Lamb was the daughter of the late Louis Meola and Mary Annunziata Meola (Pernatozzi), the sister of Frances D'ambrosio (Carmen), and the spouse of the late Joseph J. Lamb. She is survived by her sons Dr. Michael and Kevin Lamb, her daughter-in-law Dr. Kathleen M. Lamb (Garver), four grandchildren (Joseph Lamb, Mary Lamb, Frances Urman (Joseph), Kathleen Cantrell (Matthew), six great- grandchildren (Hope, Noah, Evan, June, Charlie, and Josephine) plus her large extended family of cherished cousins. Vivian was truly one of a kind. She will be missed tremendously.
Visitation Sunday July 20th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Neely Funeral Home, 2208 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw.
Funeral Mass Monday the 21st at 10AM at St. Matthew Parish, St. Bonaventure Church. Everyone Please Meet at Church.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor or the Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford.
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