Vivian Hirshen

1937 - 2022

Vivian Hirshen
February 22, 1937 - July 15, 2022
Vivian Hirshen born, 2/22/1937 New York, NY, died 7/15/2022 Berkeley, CA. A graduate of NYC's High School of Music and Art, she studied piano and played oboe. She attended Hunter College and received her M.A. at U.C. Berkeley in early childhood education. She was predeceased by husband and high school sweetheart Sanford Hirshen.
The family moved to Berkeley in 1964, where Vivian made her impact as a schoolteacher then educational testing and assessment specialist at the Bay Center for Educational Services, which she co-founded, and finally in her own practice.
Vivian and Sandy lived and worked in Vancouver, B.C. for 20 years. They moved back to Berkeley in 2009 to be close to family and friends. Vivian continued her practice there and volunteered in the public schools, improving the quality of life for many children and families through her work.
Vivian was a world traveler and culture maven - a regular at the symphony, opera, jazz concerts, theater, and museums. She seemingly read every novel and saw every movie, and into her last decade was a performing percussionist in a women's drum group. She also had to try every new restaurant the Chronicle's "Pink" section reviewed. Vivi, as she was called, will be remembered as generous, curious, vivacious, tenaciously family oriented, and a steadfast friend.
Mother of Julie and Richard Hirshen. Vivian also leaves behind a sister, Florence, a brother and sister in-law, Al and Julie, many dear relatives including nieces Annik and Pati, nephew Noel, and friends such as Ione Elioff, who stayed by her until the end.