VIVIAN L. JENKINS

1926 - 2008

Vivian Jenkins, 82, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Careage in Coupeville of lung cancer. She took her last breath and transitioned into heaven surrounded by her immediate family.

Vivian was born in Mount Vernon on April 5, 1926 to Jack and Zelma (Dixon) Knoppi and grew up in Lake McMurray. Her natural father, Jack Knoppi, was killed in a logging train accident when she was five months old. Vivian was raised by her mother and her new husband Bill Gordon.

Vivian was a graduate of Sedro-Woolley High, class of '44, where she developed an appetite for English and historical fiction. Until she contracted cancer in the spring of 2007, she devoured at least three books a week.

Vivian was also an avid crossword puzzle worker and dictionaries and encyclopedias usually adorned her kitchen counter.

Vivian worked on the seaplane base in Oak Harbor after high school and later met a navy PBY crew chief named Blain Jenkins after WWII was over. The PBY was a amphibious patrol plane that impeded the Japanese from working their way down the Aleutian chain to Alaska. They were married on Sept. 27, 1946 in Mount Vernon and shortly thereafter, their two children, Jerry and Marsha came on the scene. The young Navy family was transferred around the country as Blain changed rates form a mechanic to an AQC fire control technician (electronics). Blain and Vivian settled back in Oak Harbor in 1957. Vivian started to work at the Whidbey Federal Credit Union in the early sixties and when she retired 15 years later, was the assistant manager in charge of the credit union.

Vivian was instrumental in planning several PBY reunions in the late 70's and early 1980's. She enjoyed partaking in the camaraderie of these airmen fortunate enough to make it home after the war. Vivian was well known as the person to contact for information, scheduling and tickets for functions.
Blain and Vivian also started the first Radio Shack in Oak Harbor. Blain knew how to install and fix everything Radio Shack sold and Vivian was an expert in managing the paperwork. Both Vivian and Blain worked extremely hard at the business and sold it after about fifteen years. After Blain died of cancer in 1986, Vivian began to spend her time at the Oak Harbor Senior Center as a volunteer where she picked up the art of quilting. She made a full size quilt for every child and grandchild in her family. The quilts were of superb craftsmanship and quality.

Vivian created another dimension of her life in the late eighties that continued until she got sick which involved extensive traveling. She and her traveling friends visited and explored exciting locales such as Germany, Ireland, and her favorite, England. Vivian loved anything British, especially the humor. She loved the British humor television show that she used to watch religiously every week.

Vivian was a caring and loving person but also had a sharp wit and a keen sense of humor which she passed on to several members of her family. Many family dinners will be missed as Vivian was an excellent cook. Home made pizza and goulash were a couple of her specialties. Vivian made friends easily and had many from her working and quilting days.

Vivian is survived by her son Jerry Jenkins and his two sons, Brian Jenkins of Portland, Oregon and Nick and Shannon Jenkins of Spokane and their children Jacob, Madison and Kamryn (great-grandson and great-granddaughters respectively). Vivian's daughter Marsha and her husband Jim Phay of Coupeville and their four children, Jonathan and Sherry Phay of Bellevue, Andrew of Bellingham, David of Oak Harbor, Julia (Phay) and James Pfaff of Oak Harbor complete the immediate family.

Graveside Funeral services for Vivian Jenkins will be held Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 2:00pm at Maple Leaf Cemetery, with Rev. David Lura of the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church officiating.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington.