Vivian L. Emery, 105, of Ithaca passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at Masonic Pathways in Alma. Vivian was a wonderful, loving mother who worried more about her family and friends than herself.

Vivian was born in North Star Township on April 7, 1905 to Herbert and Maud (Shroyer) Walter. She learned to fly and became the first female to solo in Gratiot County. Always a hard worker, she owned the East Side Cafe, worked at H&H Cleaners and Ithaca Public Schools.

Vivian loved to play bingo and dominoes, to do word search puzzles, and to read. She was well known at the Senior Building for making date-filled cookies. She was a member of the Alma Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Vivian is survived by two sons, Richard (Jackie) Hartsaw of Newnan, Georgia, and Charles (Karen) Emery of Ithaca; six grandchildren, Jeff (Suzanne) Hartsaw of Williamston, Michigan, Jillene (Michael) Belli of Burlington, Massachusetts, Paul (Kristin) Hartsaw of Forest Park, Illinois, April Emery of Ithaca, Bethany Emery of Richmond Virginia, and Matthew Emery of Rockford, Illinois. She also leaves three great grandchildren, Gabrielle Hartsaw, Cole Hartsaw, and Madaline Belli; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Beulah Maxwell and Lottie Schlarf; and two husbands, Lamar Hartsaw and Ivan “Spike” Emery.

Visitation will be Sunday, 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with funeral services on Monday, May 24, at 1pm with Jo Jones officiating and the Rev. Matthew Emery assisting. Burial will be in the North Star Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Ithaca Senior Activity Building.