Vivian Witter Meade Hughes

On the 5th of May, 2011, Vivian Hughes departed from this life at the age of 91. She will be remembered not for the end of her life, but for her vivacious interaction with others – talking, laughing, helping, and understanding.

Vivian, nicknamed Spider by Trey, her late son, personified the saying, “never met a stranger”. She would greet one with a welcoming smile accompanied by a twinkle in her eye that gave the impression she knew the punch lines to all of life’s jokes. To others she effortlessly and unconditionally dispensed cheer, assistance, and consolation. As her late husband Joe once said, “She was on the phone for only half an hour, so it must have been a wrong number”.

Her giving nature was exhibited by her volunteer service at the Retirement and Nursing Center, Camp Mabry Texas Military Forces Museum, and the First United Methodist Church. At the nursing center she contributed over 4,400 hours. Since 1991, Vivian gave over 1,600 hours at the Camp Mabry Museum. Every Sunday, she would be at her post at the Church to greet everyone with her smile and make them glad they came. Vivian also was an active participant in the “Wild Bunch”, a group of friends that were dedicated to having fun and made many civic contributions to those less fortunate in the Austin area.

After working several decades for the State of Texas, Vivian retired from the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board. Even though Trey’s death on March 18th weighed heavily upon her, she was thankful that her life had been wonderful and very complete.

Vivian was predeceased by husband Joe (1994); son, Trey (2011), and siblings Frances Leifeste, Bruce Witter, Harvey Witter. In addition to a host of friends, she is survived by

siblings Bill Witter, Santa Rosa, CA, and Forrest Witter and wife Linda, Austin; son and daughter Robert Hughes, Atlanta, GA, and Carolyn Bertram and husband Bill, of Costa Mesa, CA; nieces and nephews Barbara Landers and husband John, Austin, TX, Ron Leifeste and wife Connie, Woodway,TX, Terry Leifeste, Austin, TX, Gene Witter and wife Marguerite, Houston, TX, Keith Witter, Lago Vista, TX, Carol Witter and husband James Hunt, Santa Fe, N.M., Bob Witter and wife Kathy, Jemez Springs, N.M., Susan Kahn and husband Mike, San Francisco, CA, Bill Witter, Jr. And wife Maru, San Anselmo, CA, Tim E. Witter, Oakland, CA, Austin Papritz, Bellingham, WA, and Bernay Sheffield and wife Betty, San Angelo, TX.

A memorial service for Vivian will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon, Tuesday, the 31st of May, at Cook -Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vivian’s name to First United Methodist Church of Austin, 1201 Lavaca Street, Austin, Texas 78701.

Tributes may be made at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com