Vivian Louise McGettrick's Obituary
VIVIAN L. MCGETTRICK December 11, 1926 – May 27, 2010 Vivian Louise McGettrick was born in Webb, Oklahoma, on December 11, 1926, the second child of Peter and Jessie McGettrick. In 1937 the family moved to Cortez, Colorado. Her six brothers helped their dad raise high-altitude pinto beans, while she helped her mother with the gardening, canning and baking at home. She could drive the tractor, too, if needed! Vivian graduated from Cortez High School in 1945. For one year she worked as the Western Union operator at Moffett’s Drug Store. Vivian studied for two years at Ottawa University, then transferred to Colorado University at Boulder. Her major was four-pronged: History, Sociology, Literature and German. She hoped to do graduate work in Criminology. She came home after graduation and was persuaded to teach at Four Corners School in Yellow Jacket, Montezuma County, Colorado. This was a one room school with 33 students, at least one in each grade, K-8. From 1951-1953, Vivian did graduate work at U.C. Berkeley, CA, School of Criminology. She worked almost full time at Children’s Hospital doing clerical work while attending school. In l953 she worked as a counselor at Juvenile Hall, Alameda County, Oakland, and then as a probation officer in Supervision, Investigation, and Foster Home Placement and Care. However, because of a injury sustained as a passenger in a bus/car accident, Vivian left Probation work. During these years Vivian became a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley. She was an active participant, serving as a faithful member of the worship choir and as a Stephen’s minister. In the following years, Vivian did clerical work at Armco Steel in Berkeley. During this time Vivian’s love for children drew her to consider a teaching career, and she began taking evening classes at U.C. Berkeley in education. Early in the 1960’s Vivian taught for two years in the Sierra Foothills at Pine Grove, CA, while finishing the courses needed for a full credential at University of Pacific, Stockton, and Sacramento State University. Returning to the Bay Area fully credentialled, she taught grades K,1,2 (mostly 2) at E. Morris Cox School in East Oakland for 28 years. She found this career much more rewarding than probation work. In December, 1990 Vivian was struck by Guillian Barre Syndrome, a rare and severe auto-immune disease that attacks the nervous system and which she likely contracted from a flu vaccine. Vivian became almost complete paralyzed. She spent a year in the hospital and months in a nursing home, before regaining some of her physical abilities. Throughout the rest of her life, this underlying disorder continued to compromise her health and her mobility. Never one to give up, Vivian chose to channel her energies toward a baseline recovery time and time again. Vivian loved life. She lived life fully engaged in her church and community. After her retirement, she took every opportunity to tutor children and adults, to read to others, to serve on an advisory council and advocate for other residents at Salem Lutheran Home, and to assist in whatever way possible. She put her love for the LORD, Jesus Christ into action. Vivian is survived by her brothers: Dewayne and his wife Mildred of Cortez, CO, and their children Don and Beverly; Jewel and his wife Mary of Safford, AZ, and their children Bonnie, David and Debbie; Garvin and his wife Lynne of Shoreview, MN, and their children Arthur and Elizabeth; Dennis and his wife Karen of Des Moines, IA, and their children Michael, Shawnda, Sherri and Erin; Dale and his wife Carole of Gainesville, FL, and their children Ann and Jan; and sister-in-law Zella of Springfield, MO, and her daughter Lynn. Vivian’s brother Veryl preceded her in death. We rejoice that Vivian is free from suffering, and is in the presence of the LORD. “Blessed are they who die in the LORD. They shall rest from their labor and their works Do follow them.” – Revelation 13:14
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