Sister Vivian C. (Lauren) Wilson, BVM
Sister Vivian C. (Lauren) Wilson, BVM, 94, died Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque, Iowa.
Sharing of Memories and a Memorial Mass were held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Sister Vivian donated her body to science. Burial will be in the Mount Carmel cemetery at a later date.
Sister Vivian was born on April 20, 1928, in Lusk, Wyo., to Marvin and Laura (Sheridan) Wilson. She entered the BVM congregation Feb. 2, 1948, from St. Anthony Parish, Casper, Wyo. She professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1950, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1955.
Sister Vivian was an elementary teacher at Sacred Heart in Fort Dodge, Iowa; Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Rapid City, S.D.; St. Patrick in Lead, S.D.; and St. Callistus in Chicago, where she also ministered as an admissions counselor and assistant director of the Business Administration Institute at Mundelein College. She served as director of religious education at St. Kerian in Chicago Heights, Ill.
“In 2000, Vivian became the project director of the Special Task Force on Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Chicago . . . ‘to study the state of catechesis for adults, youth, and children . . . and to make recommendations . . . for its continued improvement.’ Vivian commented, ‘The idea of becoming a big part of this project dispelled the whole idea of being retired; I gladly took the plunge!’” (Eulogy).
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Marvin(Mary) Wilson, Howard Wilson, and William Wilson; and sisters: Mryl Wilson, Lois (Gene)Adams, Rosemary (Chuck) Anderson, and Nancy (Ken) Miller. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 74 years.
Memorials may be given to Sisters of Charity, BVM, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003 or make an online gift.
Download Eulogy Download Sharing of Memories
Rest in Peace, Sister. Keeping you and all the BVM sisters in my prayers.
The Michauds have many fond memories of Sister Vivian! I left community from Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1968 after living four years with Vivian. In the years that followed she was a big part of family celebrations and gatherings. Our daughter remembers Vivian’s years at Mundelein – the swimming pool, the raccoon in the elevator, etc., and our son always called her George. She was loyal to me in many ways and always kept me up to date on the BVM’s.
Rest In Peace, George!
My family was saddened to hear of Vivian’s passing. She was much loved and came to visit us many times over the past 50 years. My husband, her nephew Howard, passed away last December. While he could still travel, we went to see Vivian in 2017. I am grateful we had that opportunity. It was an honor to meet so many of her sisters at Mt.Carmel and send my condolences to all of you, her family and her many friends. She was a joy and we will treasure her memory. May she rest in peace.
My family was saddened to hear of Vivian’s passing. We have fond memories of her many visits to us , especially when we lived in Rome. My husband, her nephew, Howard was attached to the Embassy to the Vatican. Sadly, he too has passed last Dec. We were glad that while he could still travel, that we went to Vivan’s Jubilee in 2017. It was an honor to meet so many of her sisters and I send my condolences to all of you, as well as to her family and friends. Vivian was a joy, we will miss her, her tales, her wit, and store of family lore. Rest in Peace. Vivian
I so, love Sister Vivian. She was my inspiration.
She never gave up; she was like an energizer bunny. She just kept going. If she had any kind of problems, she worked on it until she had it figured out. I told her one time that we were a lot alike and she agreed with me.
I will miss my talks with her. She was such an incredible and intelligent woman.
I will continue to pray for her family and the sisters,
Lisa Wiegand
I am so sorry to hear about the demise of Sr Vivian. I knew her when I was studying at Loyola University Chicago during 2009 – 2011 and I used to celebrate mass at Mundelein College where she used to live. I befriended many elderly sisters there including Sr Vivian. My mass used to be on Fridays, and I often stayed back for dinner and to watch a movie with the community. Unfortunately, I could not stay in touch with the sisters after I left Loyola and came back to Kolkata, India. I miss my old friends. My heartfelt condolences to the BVM family. RIP Sr Vivian.
I was so sad to hear of Vivian’s passing. She was my aunt and an amazing incredible woman, teacher and role model. She always had funny intriguing family stories to share. She always welcomed a good talk or debate! She and my husband Kit could talk politics and world matters for hours! As a child, I recall how my father, Chuck Anderson bought her first wardrobe when she decided to not wear the habit anymore. She had a quirky colorful sense of style that I will always remember her by. She was such a wonderful woman and will truly be missed by all her family.
So sad to hear the passing of Sister Vivian. So looked up to her as a child. Many happy memories of her and the visits at the ranch. She would ride horses, milk the cows and gather the chicken eggs. We played baseball and went fishing too. She was not afraid to help fix a meal and do the dishes after. She loved the country and we loved her. Will miss her dearly.
I had Sr. Vivian as a teacher for 3rd and 8th grade in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was a demanding teacher with high expectations for her students. She was the best teacher that I ever had in all of my years of schooling. I visited her in Dubuque several years ago and we had a wonderful afternoon reminiscing. We stayed in touch through Christmas cards and periodic notes. I will miss her.
Sister Vivian was an excellent guitarist and could play the standup bass. When I was a student at Sacred Heart Junior High in Fort Dodge she continued to teach and encourage all of us playing the string instruments. Was she talented! Only excellent memories. My she continue to strum in the Heavenly Choir.
Vivian was high spirited and stubborn. We were friends for just shy of 50 years. Vivian would come and visit us after She moved to Chicago. We went to visit her in Chicago too.
One of My favorite memories was when John Brunner the Principal of Sacred Heart Junior High was using a paddle board of the male students. Vivian was dead set against it. He pulled rank on her and told her, “I am the principal. If You don’t like it, you can kick me in the back side.” Vivian looked like a soccer player going for a goal and leaped up like a player. It was a beautiful memory watching him limp around for many days. I miss Her so much.