Vivian Easterbrook 1918-2011

Eulogy given by Bernie Easterbrook -Mar 1st, 2011

Vivian Mary Marlow was born on May 9^th 1918 in Welland, Ontario.  She was the 3^rd of 4 children born to her parents Sydney and Emily "Birdie" Marlow. She was the only child to survive to adulthood.  She was born a frail little baby who was at first so small that she had to be carried around on a pillow.  But she quickly grew to become her daddy’s little girl. She adored her father.

After the accidental death of her younger brother, Vivian's mother became ill  and Vivian took the brunt of the responsibilities in the home.  She worked hard never complaining.  Growing up during the depression became even harder for mum when her father passed away while she still a teenager.  Despite her trials Vivian was determined to be the best she could. She applied herself and was the top of her class.  She went on to secure herself jobs working in bookkeeping, managing the finances and being the controller for several small companies.  

In 1942 mum married Charles Butters to whom she bore three sons Charlie, Harvey, and Bernard.  In Mum’s own words “the doctor lied to her three times” and she never got her girl.  Fortunately later in life she would have daughters-in-law and granddaughters to dote on and treat like daughters. 

When I was only two years old, she became a single mum. Despite the enormous undertaking she raised us three rambunctious boys on her own.  She raised us in Welland, Ontario, the same small town she grew up in. In fact I  had the same school teacher, Miss Teskey that mum had as a girl and according to mum, she was still wearing the same dress.  As a single mother she took on both roles in the family, she would sew all of our clothes, she budgeted and worked hard to support the family and still found time to be the president of the School PTA. She knew the importance of family and made sure to always take us boys on vacation every summer to places like Wasaga beach, or camping at Manatulain  island, or fishing on the nearby rivers.  She would take us and our friends on picnics and to the local beaches after work in the summers. She was very loving and always reached out to her children, she was a great mum and always tried hard to raise us right.

In 1951 the missionaries taught mom the gospel. TheG Holy host testified to her that it was true and she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the first  member in Welland. The church taught her the meaning of life and she indeed filled her days with meaning, joy, lasting memories and more importantly she dedicated her life to serving others.  

 In 1960 mom met Arthur Easterbrook and they were married that summer. The family grew from 4 to seven (more boys!). 

Mother never stopped caring for others. Even after her own children were grown, she often took in her grandchildren. Charlie’s Kids looked  forward greatly to their weekends spent with Gramma and Grandpa where they took them on adventures, ate gramma's home cooking, and had instilled in them values and life lessons.  Grandma and grandpa were a source of strength, stability and love to Debra, Sandra, Charlie, and Samantha.  Memories they have of grandma include her huge flower garden from which she cut flowers each Sunday and took them to Church to make beautiful flower arrangements. 
When grandma moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1977, her doors were always open for grandchildren to come stay, and even live.  

In 1987 Arthur and Vivian packed up their motor home and headed to New Mexico where they were called to serve as missionaries, serving and strengthening the people of Deming New Mexico. She never stopped and spent the rest of her life serving faithfully and remained faithful to the end.

 Although originally from a small town, she managed to see a lot of the world: Dad and mom were sealed in the Swiss temple, they toured Europe, had multiple visits to Banff, the Stampede, and Yellowstone, spent winters in Arizona, Florida, Texas, and California, spent a month in Hawaii, cruises to Mexico and mum and dad even spent 10 years in their motor-home hitting the roads, traveling and visiting friends and family.  My children were amazed by gramma and grandpa’s home on wheels as their motor-home would roll into Texas. Their visits were full with Games of Bingo and scrabble, home movies shot by Arthur but directed by Gramma, playing with her dogs- she spoiled her dogs but she spoiled her grandchildren even more. Despite her use of the word 'dumb bunny' mum was an animal lover, she spoiled four dogs over the years, Peppy, Tara, Mai-ling and Ling-ling. Her grandson Little Harvey is grateful to Mom for teaching him about genealogy and stamp collecting, the time spent listening to Elvis records, family trips to Fairmount Hot Springs , Heritage Park, Drumheller, the Stampede, Fish Creek for Barbecues, the talks they had,  the support she gave him, and of course everyone always loved Sunday dinners at grandmas. Samantha Mutzeneek a granddaughter remembers grandma growing flowers especially for Samantha and Lee’s centerpieces for their wedding.  What a beautiful memory! Indeed mum has given all of us so many years of enjoyment and wonderful memories. 

Mum developed her talents even in her later years.  She participated in activities wherever she and dad spent their winters in their motor home.  One winter she learned how to paint and painted rose pictures for her children and grandchildren.

For the last 10 years of her life, after Arthur died, Vivian was cared for predominantly by her granddaughter Samantha McClean and her family.  Mum would love to tell anyone who would listen what her grandchildren Brady and Dakota were up to. She attended Dakota’s dance recitals and enjoyed attending Brady’s and Dakota’s special school events.  She even followed them to Ottawa when they moved, having so terribly missed them when they moved.  Andy returned to Calgary to assist her in her travel. This demonstrated the deep abiding mutual love and respect she instilled in her children and grandchildren.  

Vivian Easterbrook was a wonderful mother to her 5 sons, she was a loving grandmother to her 17 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.