Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Vivien Arlene Vandehey, 93, passed away on March 14, 2024, in Forest Grove, OR with family by her side. Vivien was born to Van and Mary Lacey in Jefferson City, Missouri, and she spent her early life in Missouri, Milwaukee, WI, and Phoenix, AZ.  She moved to Banks, OR, with her family where she graduated from Banks High School, Class of ’48, as Valedictorian and met her future husband, Elmer Francis Vandehey.  Vivien and Elmer were married April 20,1950 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Roy.  They made their home on a farm near Gaston and raised seven children. Vivien worked outside the home and farm at St. Mary’s Home for Boys in Beaverton beginning as a bookkeeper in 1976 and advancing to the financial manager before retiring in 1986. Her experience with the family farming business helped in her career at St. Mary’s.

Vivien stayed active in her early years playing volleyball with women friends, and she was an avid walker throughout her life. Home decorating and gardening also kept Vivien busy while exploring new styles and ideas which also kept Elmer busy with a hammer or shovel. She was a voracious reader with many interests and diligently stayed current on world affairs. Vivien loved to travel, and she and Elmer saw many varied cultures around the world with friends and relatives on trips to Mexico, Africa, Europe, Russia, South America, Turkey, India, and Asia.

Vivien is survived by five children and their spouses: Vern and Karen Vandehey of Salem, Alan and Elizabeth Vandehey of Tucson, AZ, Leslie and Doug Oglesby of Gaston, Greg and Cindy Vandehey of Bend, Kirk and Suzy Vandehey of Creswell. She had sixteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, her parents and nine siblings, a daughter, Susan Erickson, and a son, Brett Vandehey.

Those wishing to donate in Vivien’s name may do so by sending a check to Visitation School, 4189 NW Visitation Rd, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or on the church’s webpage: Click Here Please specify “New Gym Capital Campaign” in memory of Vivien Vandehey.