Vivian Koebele

Vivian Jones Koebele (nee Lucas)

Born July 10, 1934, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, she was the youngest of seven children. Vivian called herself a farm girl although she left that life behind when she moved to the United States with her first husband, Harold William Jones, in November 1951. They settled in Dearborn, Michigan and welcomed a daughter in 1952 and a son in 1954. During the late 1950’s when the children were attending school, she obtained her Cosmetology License and was employed as salon manager with J L Hudson’s, later managing the new beauty salon for E. J. Korvette’s. In 1965 Vivian became a widow following the death of her husband, Harold, a WWII veteran who was honored, being buried in Arlington National Cemetery. At this time, she took a new job as a manager of a Lawson’s Party Store and started her journey into education by enrolling in college.

Vivian married her second husband, Ken Koebele, in April 1968. In 1970 she earned an Associate Degree in Culinary Science from MCCC. In 1972 she and Ken brought a son into the world, Glenn Eric. She didn’t stop here, while working toward her teaching degree she took a job with MORC assisting / working with special needs adults. Her education continued, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Mercy College in 1977 and her Master of Education degree in Special Education from Marygrove College in 1982. In 1982 Vivian began her employment with Detroit Public Schools as a special education teacher, retiring after 25 years of service in 2008.

In 15 years of retirement, Vivian dabbled in gardening but found much more enjoyment in the company of her pets, light volunteering with the Humane Society, going to historical home viewings, garden walks, visits to old cemeteries, and collecting rocks. She started developing the signs of Dementia over the last five years of her life and moved into Orchard Grove, an assisted living facility. Vivian passed away in her sleep on November 24, 2023.

Vivian touched many lives, as a mother, grandmother, teacher and a friend, she will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her. Though we are saddened by her passing we know in our hearts she found her spot in heaven, and class starts on Monday.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her youngest son Glenn (who tragically died in 1980) and her second husband Ken, who passed in 2002.  She is survived by her daughter Dora (Michael), son Dale, grandson Carl, great-grandchildren Josephine, Alyxa, Sawyer, and close family friends Kim and Danielle, plus the last of her pets, a cat – “Lucky”.

A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday November 28, 2023, 11:00 at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038.