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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Vivian "Viv" I. Kane
Vivian "Viv"
I. Kane
March 10, 2012
Vivian "Viv" I. Kane's Obituary
July 26, 1930 - March 10, 2012
BRISTOL — Vivian I. "Viv" Kane, 81, of Bristol, passed away from Alzheimer's disease at 9:11 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012, at the Beardsley House of Elkhart.
She was born in Bristol on July 26, 1930, to the late Elmer and Louise (Papke) Foreman and was the youngest daughter of eight children. She grew up on a small farm where she developed her strong work ethic in the fields and at her family's fruit and vegetable stand every summer and fall.
Always known for her wisecracks, giggles and fun spirit, Viv graduated from Bristol High School in 1948, and wound up marrying her high school sweetheart, Donald S. Kane, on New Year's Eve in 1949.
Donald passed away in Bristol in 1994, after 44 years of marriage. Additionally, her brothers, Richard and Alton, and her sisters, Jeneve, Virginia, Eleanor and Juneve, also preceded her in death.
The work ethic honed in the Fruit Hills of Bristol, along with her humor and dedication, followed her throughout her life, as a mother, as a business partner with Don and as a community leader in Bristol. She was an auxiliary member of the Bristol Fire Department and served as departmental photographer, where she would many times be seen following the trucks to the scene to record events. She also served on the Bristol Homecoming and the Alumni committees and was a proud member of the Bristol town board for many years as well. Although she took her civic duties seriously, she was never shy about injecting her own brand of wit and spirited opinion into any proceeding.
Sometime after turning 40, Viv took up running. As with everything else, she pursued this new passion with a vengeance. Undaunted by sweltering heat or freezing temperatures and with her faithful German Shepherd by her side, Viv could run insane distances while maintaining a grueling pace. Those deciding to "join her for a jog" would soon find themselves sitting at the side of the road, shaking their heads in amazement. "Vim and Vigor Viv" participated in many local and regional races and won numerous awards, including ranking 8th place nationally for marathon running in her age group, but her pinnacle achievement was running the Boston Marathon at the age of 51.
Vivian is survived by her daughters, Debra (John) Nutting of Montgomery, Texas, Beth (Gary) Floyd of Elkhart and Judy (Mike) Miller of Elkhart; brother Gene (Wilma) Foreman of Constantine, Mich.; grandchildren Brent (Kalleen) Nutting, Desiree (Daniel) Detwiler, Chloe Floyd, Alex Miller and Chelsea Miller; great-granddaughters Tatum and Sydney Detwiler; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012, with visitation one hour prior, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association and online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
Debra, Beth and Judy wish to thank the many Bristol friends and neighbors who watched over Viv during her illness. Their care and concern allowed Viv to remain in her home and her beloved hometown for as long as possible. Please join the family in celebrating the life of this high-energy lady, who is now free to run in Heaven!
BRISTOL — Vivian I. "Viv" Kane, 81, of Bristol, passed away from Alzheimer's disease at 9:11 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012, at the Beardsley House of Elkhart.
She was born in Bristol on July 26, 1930, to the late Elmer and Louise (Papke) Foreman and was the youngest daughter of eight children. She grew up on a small farm where she developed her strong work ethic in the fields and at her family's fruit and vegetable stand every summer and fall.
Always known for her wisecracks, giggles and fun spirit, Viv graduated from Bristol High School in 1948, and wound up marrying her high school sweetheart, Donald S. Kane, on New Year's Eve in 1949.
Donald passed away in Bristol in 1994, after 44 years of marriage. Additionally, her brothers, Richard and Alton, and her sisters, Jeneve, Virginia, Eleanor and Juneve, also preceded her in death.
The work ethic honed in the Fruit Hills of Bristol, along with her humor and dedication, followed her throughout her life, as a mother, as a business partner with Don and as a community leader in Bristol. She was an auxiliary member of the Bristol Fire Department and served as departmental photographer, where she would many times be seen following the trucks to the scene to record events. She also served on the Bristol Homecoming and the Alumni committees and was a proud member of the Bristol town board for many years as well. Although she took her civic duties seriously, she was never shy about injecting her own brand of wit and spirited opinion into any proceeding.
Sometime after turning 40, Viv took up running. As with everything else, she pursued this new passion with a vengeance. Undaunted by sweltering heat or freezing temperatures and with her faithful German Shepherd by her side, Viv could run insane distances while maintaining a grueling pace. Those deciding to "join her for a jog" would soon find themselves sitting at the side of the road, shaking their heads in amazement. "Vim and Vigor Viv" participated in many local and regional races and won numerous awards, including ranking 8th place nationally for marathon running in her age group, but her pinnacle achievement was running the Boston Marathon at the age of 51.
Vivian is survived by her daughters, Debra (John) Nutting of Montgomery, Texas, Beth (Gary) Floyd of Elkhart and Judy (Mike) Miller of Elkhart; brother Gene (Wilma) Foreman of Constantine, Mich.; grandchildren Brent (Kalleen) Nutting, Desiree (Daniel) Detwiler, Chloe Floyd, Alex Miller and Chelsea Miller; great-granddaughters Tatum and Sydney Detwiler; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Billings Funeral Home in Elkhart. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012, with visitation one hour prior, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association and online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
Debra, Beth and Judy wish to thank the many Bristol friends and neighbors who watched over Viv during her illness. Their care and concern allowed Viv to remain in her home and her beloved hometown for as long as possible. Please join the family in celebrating the life of this high-energy lady, who is now free to run in Heaven!
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