Vivien Marilyn Witheford
April 27, 1929 ~ March 4, 2020
Vivien M. Witheford passed away at age 90 on March 4, 2020. She was born in Putney, London, England to Donald and Doris Prosser. Vivien was educated at the Adcote School in Shopshire and formed lifelong friendships with her classmates “The Old Girls.” One of Vivien’s first jobs was working for Rev. Chad Varah in London when he founded the Samaritans (a telephone helpline). She appeared on the UK version of the TV show “This is Your Life” that honored Rev. Varah.
Vivien immigrated to the US in 1957 and worked in Tucson Arizona. Vivien married her beloved husband David K. Witheford in 1962 and they enjoyed 43 years of marriage until David’s death in 2005.They first lived in Connecticut and then settled in Reston Virginia in 1973. Vivien worked as a realtor for many years. She was a long time member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in McLean and was involved in many volunteer activities.
Vivien enjoyed traveling and adventure. She was one of the last to go through the Glen Canyon on the Colorado River on a jet boat trip before it was dammed to form Lake Powell. She also rafted the Snake River. Vivien and David spent a year traveling the US with an Airstream travel trailer. They made frequent trips back to England to visit family and friends and enjoyed showing their many visitors the DC area. During retirement Vivien and David travelled extensively and loved spending winters in Tucson. They enjoyed taking classes with Oshner Life Long Learning. Vivien loved playing (and winning) games and was an excellent Scrabble and Bridge player. She will also be remembered for her great letter writing and her pleasant humming while working in the kitchen.
Survivors include her sister and brother-in law Audrey and Norman Plastow of Wimbledon England and nieces, Hazel Plastow, Wendy Clarke, Eileen Ruppel and nephews, Geoffrey Witheford and Thomas Witheford and brother-in law John Witheford. The family would like to thank the staff at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads for their care of Vivien in her final years.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Goodwin House Foundation.
Vivien immigrated to the US in 1957 and worked in Tucson Arizona. Vivien married her beloved husband David K. Witheford in 1962 and they enjoyed 43 years of marriage until David’s death in 2005.They first lived in Connecticut and then settled in Reston Virginia in 1973. Vivien worked as a realtor for many years. She was a long time member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in McLean and was involved in many volunteer activities.
Vivien enjoyed traveling and adventure. She was one of the last to go through the Glen Canyon on the Colorado River on a jet boat trip before it was dammed to form Lake Powell. She also rafted the Snake River. Vivien and David spent a year traveling the US with an Airstream travel trailer. They made frequent trips back to England to visit family and friends and enjoyed showing their many visitors the DC area. During retirement Vivien and David travelled extensively and loved spending winters in Tucson. They enjoyed taking classes with Oshner Life Long Learning. Vivien loved playing (and winning) games and was an excellent Scrabble and Bridge player. She will also be remembered for her great letter writing and her pleasant humming while working in the kitchen.
Survivors include her sister and brother-in law Audrey and Norman Plastow of Wimbledon England and nieces, Hazel Plastow, Wendy Clarke, Eileen Ruppel and nephews, Geoffrey Witheford and Thomas Witheford and brother-in law John Witheford. The family would like to thank the staff at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads for their care of Vivien in her final years.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Goodwin House Foundation.
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