Vivian S. Yeager

Vivian Sophia Yeager (nee Matteo) passed away at 12:30 p.m. on December 10, 2020, due to complications of COVID-19. Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence D. Yeager; parents, Mike and Lydia Matteo; in-laws Dan and “Minnie” Yeager; brother and sister-in-law, Andy and Shirley Matteo; sister, Judy Osters; brother-in-law, Norman Yeager.

Vivian is survived by all three of her children, Daniel (Mary) Yeager, Sarah Yeager and Martha Yeager; grandchildren, Lacie Yeager (Clayton) and Lydia Yeager; great grandson, David; brother-in-law, Dan Osters; sister-in-law, Elsie Yeager; 13 nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews as well as several cousins.

Vivian had a kind, caring heart and loved living life. She was a lifelong resident of Wickliffe, OH, having been born at home on January 27, 1928, to her Finnish mother and Italian father. Vivian enjoyed relating the story of how she was delivered by her maternal grandmother, Sophia Luoma, the town midwife. The town doctor, Dr. Stork, arrived following her birth.

Vivian was the 2nd generation of her family to attend Wickliffe City Schools, graduating in 1945. Following this, Vivian pursued secretarial training and was employed by the Lubrizol Corporation in Wickliffe, OH, where she met her husband “Yeager” of 59 years. Vivian and Yeager were married on Labor Day 1950. Their wedding reception was held in her parents’ yard which many remembered as having been beautifully landscaped by her father.

In 1953, with the expectancy of her first child, Vivian became a full-time homemaker. Vivian had recently related that she never completed the flying lessons her husband had encouraged her to take.

Over the course of her lifetime, Vivian was involved in many civic activities including having been the leader for her younger sister’s Girl Scout Troop, a founding member and officer of the Mapledale Elementary School PTA, a member of the Wickliffe Garden Club and an original member of the Willoughby YMCA. Vivian was also a Campfire Girls leader for many years and a member of the Wickliffe Band Boosters. Most recently, Vivian was the acting president of the Wickliffe Dispensary Association/Well Baby Clinic, a position formally held by her mother, as well as an active member of the Wickliffe Historical Society, Friends of the Wickliffe Public Library, the Willoughby Senior Center Red Hats Club and the Wickliffe Hall of Fame, of which she was an inductee.

Without a doubt, Vivian’s favorite activities were participating in the annual bus trip to NYC with the Wickliffe/NYC Theatre Tour, getting her hair done at Styled Profile on Fridays and walking across the street for lunch with family and friends at Petti’s Pizza and celebrating many special occasions at Vittorio’s Ristorante in Wickliffe.

Vivian was also a 56-year member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, having served as the treasurer, a deaconess and Sabbath School and Vacation Bible School teacher. Vivian loved spending Saturday Sabbaths with her Lord, family and church friends. She and her husband gave many, many hours to their church and to helping others.

Vivian retired from Wickliffe City Schools in 2005, after 34 years of loyal full-time employment in various positions. She was recently honored for over 50 plus years of part-time employment with the Eaton Family Credit Union, formally the Wickliffe Schools and City Workers Credit Union of which she was an original employee.

Vivian was an inspiration to all as she pressed forward never allowing her many health issues to inhibit her. She will be greatly missed by all of us as she rests peacefully in her grave awaiting the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at The Orlando-Donsante-Previte Funeral Home 29550 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (Masks Required with Social Distancing and Occupancy Limits). Private Funeral and Graveside Services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vivian’s memory to EVERY CHILD. EVERY WHERE. IN SCHOOL. campaign at www.adra.org.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.orlandodonsanteprevitefh.com.

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