Edith Raddatz Viverette

Edith Raddatz Viverette of Ruther Glen, VA, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2014. She was born on May 10, 1931, in Timbo, Santa Catarina, Brazil and was the beloved daughter of the late Paulo and Ida Raddatz and sister to the late Werner Raddatz, Vera Raddatz, and Ilse Raddatz . She is survived by her brother Mario Raddatz of Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil, stepdaughters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews living in both Brazil and the United States. She was preceded in death by her husband Sidney Roy Viverette.

As a young girl, Edith and her family had very little money and she left home to work as a nanny in Sao Paulo, Brazil where she began to learn English. She was already fluent in both German and Portuguese. She also worked for the Brazilian airline, VARIG, as a stewardess. She enjoyed reading books by well-known authors and spending time with her brothers and sisters in Brazil and their children. In 1961, Edith traveled to the United States with a friend in search of a better life. She met her future husband, Sidney Roy Viverette, in a taxicab that he drove in Montgomery County, MD. They married in September 1966 and she earned her United States citizenship in March 1970. She also earned her cosmetology degree in Richmond, VA and she and her husband owned and operated the Ashland Beauty and Barber Shop. They lived and worked there for many years and enjoyed their animals including dogs and birds. They made numerous trips to Brazil to visit Edith’s loving family.

Once retired in 2000, Edith and Sidney moved to Ruther Glen, VA and continued to enjoy their many animals. Edith loved watching movies, reading, caring for her beautiful plants, and was a fantastic cook. She enjoyed many meals with family and friends. Her husband passed away in May 2005, and Edith remained in her home and loved being visited by her nieces, Mary Shatrowsky, Lisa Viverette, and Patty Hoover and her stepdaughters, Joanne Alvey, Susan Green, Diane Veenstra, and Cindy Packard. She also loved talking to her brother, Mario Raddatz, and her numerous nieces and nephews including Rosana Triervelier, Vera Trierveiler, Victor Trierveiler, Sandra Raddatz, Paulo Raddatz, and Thiago Raddatz, all of whom reside in Brazil. She remained dedicated to her birds, Pedro, Mario, Millie, Nicole, Munchkin, Pauli, Stache (Chico), and her loyal dog Verochka (Russian for Vera). She will be missed by all of her relatives in both Brazil and the United States.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Julian Furr, Irene Allyn-Redford, Anna Burgess, Linda Wickham, Bonnie Conway, David Shatrowsky, Paul Hoover, Bill Alvey, Richard Green (deceased), Mike and Anita Graves and the many friends and family who helped Edith over the past few years. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the employees who provided compassionate care at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, VA. Edith’s beloved dog, Vera, was able to be with her thanks to Sister Marie Kerns, Director of Ministry Outreach, Belinda Brizendine, Patient Advocate, and Katie Hazelwood, Nurse Manager of the hospital. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 15583 Coatesville Road, Beaverdam, VA 23015, where the family will receive friends in church one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation at bsvaf.org in honor of Edith Viverette.