Vivian Ellen Rowan Hunter

Vivian Ellen Rowan Hunter was born 4/20/1927 to Clyde P. Rowan and Mary Ellen Rowan in Astoria, Oregon.  She was the second of their three children.  Her older sister Winifred, born 12/22/1924, and her younger brother, Clyde Robert Rowan, born 12/31/30, predeceased her on 7/2/1997 and 5/21/2002, respectively. Vivian grew up during the Great Depression, which shaped her world view, and taught her the values of conservation, saving, not letting anything go to waste, and not spending on things not needed.  In 1930, Clyde was born and the Rowans shared a rental house with another family in Corvallis, Oregon.  In 1935, the family moved to Petaluma, CA and her father, Clyde Robert Rowan, Sr. opened the Eastside Garage when Vivian was 8 years old. In High School, Vivian worked at the drug store, ice cream parlor and Woolworth's.  Her father died 5/4/1945.  Vivian then went to Redwood Beauty College and trained as a beautician/hairdresser.  In 1947 she met Gordon Hunter through her sister, Winifred.  Gordon was from Utah, but his sister and brother lived in Petaluma.  They were married later that year, when Vivian was 20. The young couple lived in Eureka, Ca for a year, San Jose, CA for a year and San Francisco for 9 years before moving back to Petaluma in 1957 In 1953, her only child, Roddy, was born with profound developmental disabilities.  She faithfully cared for him until his death in July 1977.

Gordon passed in November 1975. During this time, Vivian worked at various jobs:  Hamilton Field, Office Manager (1968), owned and operated a diner in Sonoma (1969-1970) and then from 1972-1999 as a travel agent.  In her career as a travel agent, she went to every continent except Antarctica. This was a very fulfilling and happy time for her, as she loved this job, but finally retired in 1999, at age 72. Her sister Winifred passed in 1997, followed by her brother, Clyde in 2002.  Her mother, Mary Ellen, passed 9/18/1990, two weeks before her 95th birthday. Vivian had several lifelong friends in Petaluma, Connie Sobranes, Marge McCabe, David McClure, Henry Howe, Sylvia Nowicki, as well as close friend Donna Epping.  Vivian is survived by Cousin Gary Howard (Gueydan, LA) and Sister-in-Law Patty Rowan, Niece, Mary Rowan and Nephews Michael O’Leary, PhD (Poulsbo, WA), Clyde Rowan III and Joe Rowan of Hood River, Oregon, as well as great grand nieces, Sophie, Grace and Julia of Hood River, Aileen and Mo of Seattle, WA and great grandnephews, Robert IV and Andrew of Hood River.

In her last days Vivian was cared for, nurtured, and loved by Hospice staff, and was especially grateful for the care of Ruth, Sabrina, Marci, Kristin, and volunteers Goldy and Carrie and many others. Vivian was very fortunate to have neighbors who checked regularly and would spend many hours keeping her company. Bob Ferry was a tremendous help and willing at any time to come over and fix what needed to be fixed. He was a daily presence and gave Vivian a sense of safety and protection as she became more frail.  Her very dear friend Denisha Nevarez was also a steady presence and a major support as was Lavinia, who helped make her last days comfortable.

Private services were held.

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