Anne C. Vivian

Anne Carolyn Vivian, 87, Woodland Terrace of Carmel, IN, passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 10:00am in the Robertson Chapel of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260.

Anne was survived by her four children: Gary L. Crist (wife Cathy), Jeffrey A. Crist (wife Kathy), Mark D. Crist (wife Midge) and daughter Linda Price (husband Jeff). Anne had 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

If you are reading this, it means I, Anne Vivian, have departed this world and have moved on to join our father in heaven. Please, do not mourn for me for this our reward as Christians. I am confident in this statement because in John 3.13-15, Jesus instructs us, “Everyone who looks up to him (Jesus), trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life”. I believe this to be true!

My parents George and Merle Harris owned The Liberty Restaurant, in Liberty Indiana, which was the only real sit-down restaurant in town. People would drive for miles to have their famous pies - most notably, pecan, sugar cream and apple. I was a “late blessing or surprise” to my parents. When I was born, mother was 42 and daddy was 45 years old. I can only imagine the discussion around the dinner table with that news! There were six siblings in our family (Ruth, Dorothy, Jack, Jane, Charles and me) who were having children of their own when I was born. I am the last of the Harris clan as there are no other siblings surviving me.

Growing up in Liberty Indiana, I met Joe Crist in school and married soon after high school graduation. We all got married early in those days. Joe was awarded a track scholarship to Butler University running the high hurdles, so we moved to Indianapolis shortly after graduation. We lucked out finding an apartment for free if we babysat when needed. It was a win win arrangement and thus we commenced our life in the big city of Indianapolis.

Like clockwork, we were blessed with four children, all separated by two years. First, we had three boys (Gary, Jeff, and Mark) and thank goodness we concluded with our daughter Linda. We were living the American dream; Joe was a Vice President of The Second National Bank, we were raising four children, enjoying the bounty of a large vegetable garden and once the kids were all in school, I went back to work. I served as the secretary for the guidance counselor office at Richmond’s only High School. It allowed me to keep a watchful eye on our kids, knowing when they were playing hooky and having the inside track on their grades. Joe passed from complications of a brain tumor in 1978, and with our youngest off to university, I was alone in an empty nest.

After a respectful grieving period, I married Art Vivian of Vivian Buick in Richmond Indiana. We traveled the world, enjoyed gardening (although Art was not terribly fond of vegetables), painting and tennis. I loved tennis and played until the doctors told me my knees were shot.

Our children all married wonderful people and I am thankful for their loving relationships. Gary married Cathy and had twins Dawn and Jeremy, Jeff Married Kathy and gained three daughters (Kerry, Krista and Kandis) and had one son Jared, Mark married Midge and had four children, Joey, Meghan, David and Sarah and Linda married Jeff and gained two daughters Amy and Erica.

After Art’s passing and double knee replacement, I concentrated my remaining years on ten grandchildren, volunteering at the Richmond Art Museum, hospice and the local food pantry. I have enjoyed the fulfillment of giving back and believe love is best demonstrated in what you do versus what you say.

After Art died, I pulled up roots and moved from Richmond to Westfield, Indiana. I am so proud of myself because it took courage to start over in a new home and town. I made many good neighborhood friends and got busy volunteering at the Carmel United Methodist Church food pantry. I was an active member of Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church and will miss lunches following church service with friends and hope they will continue without me.

I was 87 years old when I died and I am thankful for loving family, great friends and many years of health. You need not send flowers or contribute to a charity in my passing. I would rather you lift a glass, remember the good times and keep me fondly in your thoughts and prayers.

Anne