Vivian Bauer Riley

Vivian was born on December 9, 1954 in Houston Texas to her father, Carl Bauer and mother Martha Bauer. She grew up with three siblings; her brother Jack Bauer plus her brother Don Bauer and sister Joan Malin who both preceded her in death.

Vivian was a strong-willed and determined woman who had a strong desire to live and a zest for life. In 1994 she was diagnosed with Alpha 1 antitrypsin that affected her lungs. She spent many years connected to oxygen 24/7. With very little strength to get out and enjoy life the way most of us get the opportunity to do, she relied heavily on family to help her do many things that the rest of us take for granted.

In 2017 she received a miracle; a double lung transplant that enabled her to begin writing a new chapter and boy did she ever. It wasn’t long until the “new” Vivian would be found jumping on trampolines with her grandkids, hiking through parks and mountains, running on a treadmill and working out at the gym, creating crafts in her craft room and spending hours walking through places like Hobby Lobby & Michaels shopping. She was in such great shape that at times it was difficult even for her kids to keep up with her.

Generous and caring, Vivian touched many lives. However, it was her role as a mother and grandmother that made her really shine. In fact, she was quite amazing at it. She made it her life mission to make sure both her kids & her grandkids would grow up with amazing memories, especially during the holidays. She went all out for Christmas. The highlight of her year was watching her kids’ & grandkids' faces light up with smiles and excitement from the gifts she had worked so hard to pick out for them. Then there was Easter. It was an annual egg hunt tradition to find the prize egg and then sit down to a big meal of family fellowship. The memories that she so carefully organized and provided us will always be cherished and never forgotten. She was the glue that kept the family together.

Vivian is survived by her mother, Martha Bauer; father, Carl Bauer; her brother, Jack Bauer; her husband, James Riley; her son, Jeffrey Riley spouse Curtis Braly ; daughters, Kimberly Leinweber, spouse Dale Leinweber and Kristen Watson, spouse Taylor Watson as well as her six grandchildren, Jackson Leinweber, Lawson Leinweber, Braxton Leinweber, Kanyon Leinweber, Wyatt Watson and James Watson.

Vivian, we will always love you and cherish each and every moment that we got to be a part of your life. You taught us determination, commitment and to live each moment to its fullest. We will never forget how you made us feel and the way you touched our lives. Your love will carry on through each of us and we will hold you in our hearts until we have the opportunity to meet again.

Funeral services will be held at Earthman Resthaven Funeral home on November 12th, 2021 at 10AM located at 13102 North Fwy, Houston TX 77060.