Alvira L Christopherson

Resident of Santa Clara

Born in Oakland on October 27th, 1922, died April 12th, in San Jose. Our beloved wife/mother/and friend died unexpectedly after a brief battle with a recently-diagnosed heart ailment. She is survived by her husband of 66 years to the day, Warren ("Chris"); daughters Cindy (Chris) Okusako of Davis, CA and Wendy Christopherson of Bonita, CA; sister Madelyn Coles of Loomis, CA; granddaughters Shauna Okusako (Scott Wong) of Woodland, CA and Rita Okusako of Sacramento. Preceded in death by siblings Bob and Nona.

Vi was the third of four children born to Robert E. and Frances Lamberson. Her parents met in the Mojave Desert when her father was mining gold and her mother was teaching school. Childhood summers were spent at Bear River in the Sierra Nevada foothills, often with just her mother, her brother Bob, and sisters Nona and Madelyn, while their father, a noted gemologist, worked at his shop in Oakland. Years later, when they each had their own families, Vi and her siblings took their own children also to the Bear River cabins to share in more family times.

Vi attended Glenview Elementary School and Oakland High School. Coming from a musical family, she played alto and tenor saxophone in a professional all-girls band during World War II. Although not allowed to consort with GI's when with the band, she did go to dances with her younger sister, Madelyn. It was at one of these GI dances that she met her future husband, Warren ("Chris"), and they were married on April 12th, 1944 at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri.

Vi was a supportive wife, as Chris finished his doctorate in Electrical Engineering and established his career with IBM in the Silicon Valley, where they raised their two daughters.

She and Chris were founding members of Church of the Valley in the 1950's, bringing their daughters up in Sunday School. Vi was active in the Church Belles singing group, and made many lifelong friends from church.

Chris bought a series of sailboats beginning in the mid-1960's, and although timid of sailing, Vi wholeheartedly joined in by packing food and enjoying the social life and observing nature at "the boat." The last boat was the Warlock, kept at Hidden Harbor in the Sacramento Delta, where they met several treasured friends.

The family lived in Germany and England (1969-1970) due Warren's job transfer with IBM. Vi rapidly set about learning about the local customs, food, & peoples, and, of course, taking notes and keeping records.

She loved to write and drew on her English adventures when she recently published "Country Walks & Lardy Cakes" about their year living in England. Prior to that, her first completed book, "Canal Capers," a cartoon journal, had also been enjoyed by many. However, she is perhaps most noted for her original and humorous Christmas cards.

Their Golden Anniversary was celebrated in 1994 and was well-attended by family and friends.

Vi enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Switzerland, Vancouver, and Jackson Hole. One of her favorite places was Yosemite in the autumn. For many years she brought some joy to patients in convalescent hospitals with her entertaining travel programs, under the name of "The Aunt Hat Travel Club."

Vi appreciated life to the fullest, keeping detailed records of special trips and events in her travel journals, letters, and calendars.

She was active into her later years with Santa Clara Parks & Recreation art and writing classes, in which she also made good lifelong friends. It was friends in the writing class who helped make the completion of "Country Walks and Lardy Cakes" possible.

Vi loved to write, garden, solve daily cryptograms, and visit with friends and neighbors. She was an excellent cook, making family favorites such as potato lefse. Vi especially prized the times spent with extended family.

Frequently described as a "lovely lady," she will be missed by all for her positive, upbeat nature and thoughtful ways.

Arrangements under the direction of Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, Santa Clara, CA.