Vivian Watson Whitchurch

1941 - 2018

Vivian Watson Whitchurch, born July 30, 1941 in Lonoke, Arkansas, passed away May 17, 2018. Vivian graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 1963, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. She loved to debate, both at North Little Rock, Arkansas, High School and at UCA. Upon graduation, she was recruited to teach Junior and Senior High School English and Public Speaking in Ruskin, Florida and later at HB Plant High School in Tampa. She met her husband, Ellwood "Woody" Whitchurch in Tampa and they were married December 26 1964. They were inseparable. Vivian's most enjoyable job was as a Systems Analyst with Hearst Magazines in New York in the 1960's. Vivian loved to travel, which was fortunate as Woody was transferred to several locations, in addition to New York City. She loved warm weather, most, so moves to Tucson, AZ, as well as Miami, Jacksonville, and Orlando suited her. Heathrow was their final home from 1998 to 2018 where she was active for many years in the Heathrow Women's Club. Vivian loved the Arts and was an active member of the Acquisition Trust of the Orlando Museum of Art, Le Salon of the Atlantic Center for the Arts, and Mad Cow Theater. In more recent years, they cruised extensively ("to almost any port you could reach by cruise ship"). They had just moved to Jacksonville Beach, Florida, to be close to their only son, Bradley, his wife, Elizabeth, and Grandsons, Jackson and Zachary. She is also survived by her husband Woody and by her brother, Lloyd Watson, of Little Rock, Arkansas. Vivian died as the result of long-term radiation damage to her lungs during breast cancer treatment in 1992. In spite of terrible struggles with pulmonary problems during the last several years of her life, Vivian had the most wonderful attitude, saying that most people treated at that time died, so she felt blessed to have lived another 26 years. Vivian had a strong religious foundation and beliefs, as well as a solid moral and ethical compass. In lieu of a religious service, Vivian requested that, after a suitable time for grief, her family should conduct a Celebration of Life. She was as beautiful inside as she was outside.