M. Vivian Flower

Martha Vivian (Brooks) Flower, 97, of Charlotte, Michigan passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2019 in Lansing, Michigan. Vivian, as she was known to her family and friends, was born on August 11, 1921 in Cloverdale, Michigan. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1939 and from what is now Western Michigan University with a degree in Elementary Education. After graduation from college she taught kindergarten in Lowell, MI. Following the war, she married her childhood sweetheart, Marvin Flower, on February 3, 1946 in Cloverdale. In 1947 they moved to Charlotte to pursue their teaching careers and start their family. Dedication to children was always a priority for Vivian. She was instrumental in the formation and development of Charlottes first nursery school, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, but many knew her as their Third Grade teacher at either Southridge or Galewood Elementary Schools in Charlotte. Many summers were spent at the family cottage on Little Guernsey Lake in Barry County, where she cooked up great meals for anyone who happened to stop by for a visit. She was an excellent cook and loved to bake pies and cookies. Following their retirement from teaching in 1980, she and Marvin travelled to many destinations including winters in Texas and trips to Australia, New Zealand, the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii and Italy. Her faith in God and membership in the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church was her foundation. She possessed a gift for music, loved to play the piano and sing, and was a long-time member of the church choir. She was a dedicated member of the Hayes Green Beach Auxiliary and volunteered at the Gift Basket for many years. She also was a member of the Charlotte Womens Club. She had a pleasant disposition and a keen, dry wit. In her later years she loved watching Tigers baseball and Spartan basketball while at her apartment in Hope Landing in Charlotte. Her family was her strength and she was so proud of her children, grandchildren and especially being "GGma" to her nine wonderful great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Marvin, daughter-in-law Caterina Flower, and grandson-in-law Kevin VanZanten. She is survived by sons, Douglas of La Jolla, CA, Raymond (Joy) of Potterville, MI and Frederick (Lisa) of Delton, MI; grandchildren Stefano Flower of La Jolla, CA, Emily (Alex) Lengacher, of New Haven, IN and Kristin (Mike) Vorce of East Grand Rapids, MI; and nine great-grand children; Joey, Brianna, Evan, Jesse, Claire, Levi, Leah, Seth and Andrew. Vivian is also survived by a brother, Robert (Beverly) Brooks of Hastings, MI, many nieces, nephews and countless friends. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 2 P.M. at the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church in Charlotte with Pastor Gary Wales officiating. A visitation with the family will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the church. Private family interment has already taken place at Prairieville Cemetery, Prairieville, MI. Those desiring, may make a contribution in Vivians memory to the Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church.