Vivian Dill

Vivian Dill passed away Monday, June 14, 2004 at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash. at the age of 84.

Vivian was born on July 31, 1919 in Deer Park, Wash. to Frank and Maria Schrier. She spent much of her childhood in Deer Park. In her early 20s, Vivian moved to Wenatchee and then to the Seattle area, working at a local restaurant, where she met her future husband, Donald Dill.

Vivian and Don were married January 1, 1943 in Stanwood, Wash. Soon thereafter, Vivian began working at the Seattle Frederick & Nelson in the gift wrap department. It was at that time that her creative talents began to blossom. Throughout her life she used those talents to create beautifully wrapped gifts adorned with a unique and artistic flare.

Vivian and Don were a perfect match, enjoying numerous activities together, especially their hunting and fishing trips to eastern Washington, and in particular, Moses Lake. It was during those years that she created some of the best recipes for deer, rabbit, waterfowl and fish.

After Don was fatally injured in a trucking accident in 1959, Vivian moved to Moses Lake, where she opened Vi's Beauty Salon and Gift Shop, located on Third Avenue across from the post office. During that time, she made many friends. One in particular was Marcella Lublin, who had worked for Vivian and continued their friendship for the remainder of Vivian's life.

After closing the beauty salon, Vivian worked for a number of years for Bedford & Moos Real Estate.

Vivian also was a master gardener. She loved roses, all kinds of trees and was very proud of her small orchard containing a variety of fruit. Another one of her favorite pastimes was traveling, which she did extensively, throughout the U.S. and in Europe.

She also had a good sense of humor. On one trip to Spokane, a rather large bug met its fate on the windshield of Vi's car. Her comment was, "I bet he doesn't have enough guts to do that again!"

For the last two years of her life, Vivian resided at the Monroe House in Moses Lake, where she continued to make friends, express her opinion and share a joke or two. Her closest friend there was Lela Boissoneau, who was a real comfort and inspiration to Vivian during her residence there.

Vivian's close friends would also like to extend their appreciation to the excellent and attentive staff of the Monroe House.

Vivian was also a very private person and, as per her request, there were no services held. On Tuesday, June 22, 2004, Vivian was laid to rest next to her late husband, Don, at the Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery in Seattle.

Vivian was preceded in death by two brothers, Roland and Robert, and a sister, Ethel.

Vivian will be missed by those who knew and loved her, including the Goodrich, Lublin and Godden families. She was a wonderful person who had a unique way of expressing her thoughts and opinions. There was no "middle of the road" for Vivian and she made that perfectly clear.

Memorials may be donated to The Guild House, Attention: The Foundation, 1201 S. Miller Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801. The Guild House is located adjacent to Central Washington Hospital and provides rooms for family members who are caring for their loved ones while in the hospital. The nominal fee they charge is supplemented by private donations.