Vivian Theresa Gwaltney

Vivian Theresa Gwaltney, 1936-2023

Vivian Gwaltney, 87, passed away at Countryside Manor after battling Parkinson’s disease.

She was born in Anderson, to the late Nicholas and Colette (Barsha) Kolenda. She grew up on the family farm and was a lifelong resident of Anderson. Vivian attended Leach Elementary and Anderson High School, graduating in 1954. She went on to work at Fort Benjamin Harrison Finance Center in Indianapolis.

Vivian met William (Bill) Gwaltney in 1958. They were set up on a blind date by her lifelong friend Marilyn Hexamer (she survives). She insisted his blue 1957 Chevy Convertible was not the reason she went on the date! Excited to start their new lives together, they were married in October of 1959. They were eager to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them.

Vivian became a dedicated stay-at-home mom who always put her family first. She loved the holidays and spending time with her large family. Vivian took her stay-at-home status seriously, repainting the family house countless times, remodeling rooms and keeping neighborhood kids fed and entertained. The front yard of the family home served as a baseball field most summer days.

She was the mother of the founder (Tony) and first General of the Meadowbrook Armed Forces. All of her boys and many neighbors served, protecting Meadowbrook from invasion.

Though she loved being a mom, becoming a grandparent brought out the best in her. She treasured the hours spent with her grandkids, attending many sporting and other events, to quietly cheer them on.

Vivian was known to enjoy a small glass of Manischewitz Blackberry wine once a year on Christmas Eve, before Midnight Mass. She was later astonished to find out that the flavorful drink she enjoyed in the pubs of England during an anniversary trip was, in fact, hard cider. While shocked, she continued to enjoy a few sips in each pub she visited.

Vivian was a lifelong member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. She said her faith was the most important thing she learned from her mom. She never missed a Sunday Mass & helped with many church activities throughout the years. The most notable being the funeral dinner committee & the “rummage sale” committee. Some of her best times in later years were spent with “the rummage sale ladies”, who met for lunch once a month.

She was well known for her sewing and crafting talents. She felt those had been passed on by her mother. Vivian made daughter Suzanne’s wedding gown, using a photo as a guide. She also made Christmas stockings for each of her grandchildren & small quilts for her children from quilt squares originally made by her mother. There were countless other projects she turned out over the years, giving her family special memories.

Vivian was also a dedicated volunteer at Ascension St. Vincent in Anderson. She spent every Monday there for many years.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and many others, including her husband of 55 years, Bill, who died in 2015. She was fortunate to enjoy the company of her older sisters for 85 of her years, finally losing both of them just weeks apart in 2021.

She was also pre-deceased by a great-granddaughter, Aurelia Gwaltney.

She is survived by her children, Tony Gwaltney (Connie), Patrick Gwaltney (Amy), Adam Gwaltney (Tana), Suzanne Bell (Nathan), all of Anderson, and Theresa Hayes (Rick) of Mooresville, IN, and Paul Gwaltney (CG) of Centreville, VA. Also surviving are grandchildren, Ryan (Patty), Chris (Ashley), James (Lakeisha), Keith, and Jordan (Laura) Gwaltney. Tyler Loftis, Brandon (Amber) and Ross Malone, Justine and Preston Harper, Audrey HarperGwaltney, Nicolette, Garrett (Kimberly), Weston, Quinton and Simon Bell. There are also 9 great-grandchildren. Sisters-in-law Laura Lee Gwaltney & Ellen Bales.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Countryside Manor & Suburban Hospice.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Ambrose Catholic Church at 11:00 AM, Friday, December 15, 2023. Burial will be in East Maplewood Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory. There will be a 7:30 PM Rosary Service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 2801 Lincoln St. Anderson In. 46016, or to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 (www.parkinsons.org). Online condolences may be made at www.brownbutzdiedring.com.

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