Vivian J. Eckert, 87, of Bradenton, formerly of Sarasota, FL, passed away on Friday, February 8, 2013 at Blake Medical Center.

Born on October 31, 1925, in Mishawaka, IN, of Swedish parents, she graduated from Mishawaka High School and worked at Bendix during the war. She married Owen Lee Eckert in 1946 and they lived in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Georgia before moving to Sarasota in 1983. She worked as a bookkeeper and secretary. Having studied music on the college level, she was a lifelong member of the music sorority Sigma Alpha Iota. She held many offices in SAI over the years, including that of president of the Sarasota-Manatee Alumnae Chapter, 2002-2005. She was a recipient of the Sword of Honor, the Rose of Honor, and the Rose of Dedication. Vivian was a soprano soloist and had an extensive knowledge of Protestant hymns and hymnals. She was choir director at the First Baptist Church and Maple Avenue Methodist Church in Terre Haute, IN, and also in several churches in Florida including Faith United Church of Christ in Bradenton and Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Sarasota.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband on December 4, 2012. She is survived by daughters Marcia Eckert of New York City and Adele Kieras of Birmingham, MI; a son, Bruce Eckert of Bradenton; two sisters, Violet Hubbard of Sunrise, FL, and Irene Smith of Goshen, IN, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at  Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St, Sarasota, FL 34243. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the music program of the church or to SAI c/o Susan Byerly,
3884 Woodmere Park Blvd, #16, Venice, FL 34293.

Interment will be held at South Florida National Cemetery, Sarasota, with her husband.

Please sign the guestbook below.