VIVIAN MATILDA LEE

Vivian Matilda Lee, 78, passed away Aug. 9, 2009 in Mount Vernon from pancreatic cancer. Her loving family was by her side. Viv was born March 13, 1931 in Stanwood. Her parents were Ed and Engla Peterson who immigrated to the Stanwood area from Sweden.

Vivian attended school in Stanwood and graduated in 1949 from Lincoln High School.

In 1951, Viv was united in marriage with Arthur Orcutt and they made a home together on Camano Island. Art started a logging business and they began their family together.

Art and Vivian had four children: Vernon, Gary, Dennis and Colleen. Shortly after the birth of their fourth child, Art was killed in a tragic logging accident, leaving Vivian alone with their four young children.

Viv and the kids moved to Stanwood, and she attended the Mount Vernon Beauty College. Vivian opened the Conway Beauty Salon and operated it for several years. Vivian married her second husband, Robert E. Lee on Nov. 6, 1964. Bob and Viv decided to move to a farm in Hamilton to be closer to Bob's employment.

Vivian began working as a hairdresser for the Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood and did hair for the residents there for several years.

Bob and Viv bought a summer place at Lost Lake on Camano Island, and they spent many summer days there with their family and friends, having fun times and forming wonderful memories. After a couple of years of living in the Hamilton area, they decided to move to Sedro-Woolley. They found a home that had a beauty shop in the front of the house, and Viv was happy to open and operate Viv's Town and Country Beauty Salon until her retirement. Vivian formed many friendships while working in her salon.

After retirement, Bob and Vivian became snowbirds spending winters in Yuma, Ariz.

In 1991 Vivian lost her second husband Bob due to an unfortunate work-related accident.

In 1995, Viv met Lawrence Platz and they were united in marriage, they traveled around together in their RV and made many, many wonderful memories spending winters in Arizona.

Both Larry and Viv have March birthdays, and every year they would throw their annual birthday party, hiring a band to create more great memories.

Viv enjoyed many hobbies and arts and craft projects and had a special eye for antiques. She really enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Vivian is survived by her husband, Lawrence Platz; sons, Gary Orcutt of Burlington, Dennis Orcutt of Burlington; daughter, Colleen Fontana and son-in-law Pat Fontana of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, James, Ian, Issac Orcutt, Elizabeth Ewing, Vanessa, Stephanie and Charlene; numerous great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews and many family members and friends who were very dear to her and her beloved cats, Puddy and Punkin.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Engla Peterson; husbands, Arthur L. Orcutt and Robert E. Lee; brother, Walter Peterson; sister, Helen Nygard; brother-in-law, Charles Nygard; and her eldest son, Vernon Orcutt.

Vivian radiated a very loving and giving nature, and was a woman of great strength. Even through the challenges she faced in her life she always persevered and kept a good attitude. Viv will be remembered for those wonderful attributes and also her friendly beautiful smile and heart of gold.

A memorial service will start at noon on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Hawthorne Cemetery on College Way, in Mount Vernon.

A reception potluck will follow immediately after the service at Hawthorne.

Donations in Vivian's memory may be made to Skagit Hospice or Stanwood Historical Society.