Obituary of Edna "Vivilore" Scott Heavner Hitchman

Hitchman, Edna "Vivilore" Scott Heavner died Dec.20, 2007 peacefully at her home. She was born in Ludington Michigan in 1909 to Ray and Edith Sowle Scott. Vivilore was part of a fast disappearing generation that lived through some of modern history's most significant events. In contrast to unprecedented gains in living standards and education, members of her generation lived through some very difficult times. Among the more notable were the deadly influenza pandemic of 1918, the hardships of the Great Depression, the calamities of two World Wars and the cold wars. Within the current of these events, Vivilore, like many of her generation, was strengthened rather than weakened by adversity. She acquired strength of character and an unshakeable optimism that prevailed throughout her long life and served as a model for her immediate family and others. She lived most of her life in the Detroit area attending Southeastern High School and Wayne State University. She was active in theatre and her sorority, Delta Gamma Chi, where she developed close friendships that endured throughout her life. There she also met Dr. Lyle Everett Heavner whom she married in 1934. She then taught as a librarian in the Detroit Public School system. Vivilore was a devoted wife and mother. She raised her younger children alone while her husband was serving in the military as a surgeon at Iwo Jima. She was always involved in school activities and events at Wayne. Her piano training led to a lifelong family devotion to music. She enjoyed boat cruises on Lakes St. Clair and Huron with family and friends. After her husband passed away in 1978, she spent time traveling and visiting her children. In 1987, she married Norris Hitchman, a dear friend from her days at Wayne, and they had many very happy years together until his death in 2002. As firm proponents in the value of education, they provided strong support to Wayne State University for student scholarships. Her final years were spent quietly at her home in Grosse Pointe where she enjoyed visits from her adult children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had five children, one of whom predeceased her in April 2007, Lyle Alan Heavner (Diane). A younger sister, Mae, predeceased her as a child. Surviving children are Carol Bussell (Ron) of Columbus , IN, Nancy Battistella (Roger) of Ithaca, NY, Susan Becker (Michael) Orlando FL, Bob Heavner (Carol)Berkeley, CA, her grandchildren Wendy Hamill, Brad Heavner, Connie Cummings, Patricia Carlile, and Ron Bussell, Allison and Matthew Battistella, Ari and Rachel Heavner, Vicki Groff and Chris Adams, Josh (Sara) and Steven (Lisa) Becker, as well as several great grandchildren; stepchildren Ann Pike (Bob), Thomas Hitchman (Myrna), Julia Smith (James) and step-grandchildren Marianne Smith, Paula Dreeszen (Bryce), Thomas D.Hitchman, Cynthia Pike (Doug), and Julia Pike. Donations in her honor may be sent to the Wayne State University Dr. Lyle Heavner Medical School Scholarship Fund or Norris Hitchman School of Business Scholarship Fund. Please share a memory by signing the online guestbook at www.cremationmichigan.com