Vivian Johanna Barr Obituary (1930 - 2021)

Vivian Johanna Pearson Barr was born July 27, 1930, in Longview, WA, and passed away at home in Tucson AZ on September 13, 2021, at age 91. The younger daughter of Mrs. Jean and Dr. A. N. Pearson, Vivian lived her entire life in Kelso (other than college) until 2016, when she moved to Tucson for health reasons. She was educated in the Kelso schools, graduating from Kelso High School in 1948. She then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where she graduated in 1952 with a liberal arts degree in Speech and Communication. She returned to Kelso and later that year married Ted Barr. After a short period in Seattle while Ted was attending the University of Washington, they made their home in Kelso, where she taught in several of the Kelso schools. Vivian eventually obtained her master's degree in Education from Portland State University and spent the last 20 years of her teaching career as a reading education specialist until her retirement in 1990. She had obtained her principalship papers but decided to retire instead to help tend to her husband's declining health. She served on the Kelso Public Schools Foundation board of directors from 2006-2016. Vivian and her parents were charter members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Longview, and she was heavily involved in many church activities there her entire life, teaching Sunday School, singing with, and sometimes directing the church choir, playing in the handbell choir, serving on the council and board of deacons, just to name a few. Her faith was paramount and shaped every facet of her life. She dove into everything with enthusiasm and a curiosity for life. She had a great useful and positive energy which she applied to everything she did. Vivian loved her family above all and did everything possible to make the home a warm and happy household, despite working around a rotating shift schedule that was part of Ted's job. Friends and relatives were always welcome and made to feel at home. She was always positive, upbeat, and supportive of everything her children and family were involved in, making every effort to be in attendance at the many sporting and artistic events in which her family participated. She was a strong example of a godly woman and lived the Christian life to its fullest. She always felt the need to be of service to others, even during her final months. Music was key in her life, as she enjoyed singing and playing the piano. She was well known in the community as a vocalist for many years and sang at weddings, funerals and other community events as well as being involved with numerous vocal ensembles over the years, especially the Columbian Chorale which she thoroughly enjoyed. She loved travel, including extended annual visits to England to spend time with her son's family, the Holy Land in 1967, a long Pacific Rim tour in 1978, European River Cruises, several road trips and family vacations and camping. Some of her other favorite activities involved golfing, annual trips to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival with her daughter and niece, playing games and doing puzzles, her book club, and gardening. She is survived by son Graham of Puyallup, daughter Shannon and husband Roger Martinell of Tucson, son Tom and wife Erin of Kennewick, daughter-in-law Caroline of Weybridge, England, 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Joseph (at age 4), sister Lois Jean, husband Ted, son Robert, and granddaughter Marisa Bauer. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 6, 2021at 1:00 pm at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longview, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kelso Public Schools Foundation (P.O. Box 344, Kelso WA 98626), Emmanuel Lutheran Church (2218 E. Kessler Blvd, Longview WA 98632), or the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org).