Vivian (Encarnacion) Appeddu, born September 28, 1964 in Galveston, Texas to Vicente and Lourdes Encarnacion, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2021 in Houston, Texas, surrounded by her husband and children.
Vivian graduated from O’Connell High School in Galveston, TX and attended the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Physician Assistant studies.
Vivian began her career as a Physician Assistant at OBGYN Medical Center Associates in Houston, Texas, and paused her career to raise her children. She later served as a health official at her children’s elementary school.
Vivian’s Catholic faith meant everything to her, and her living out her faith changed her and many others’ lives. It was at a bible study at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church that she first met her future husband, Paul. The two of them volunteered as youth ministers for the High School youth group. While their children were young, Vivian and Paul started a music ministry with the Lord’s Day (Sunday school) program with Vivian leading the children in singing. Later, Vivian volunteered as a B.S.A. Cub Scout Den Mother at Pack 505 at St. Vincent de Paul. Together with Paul, they sponsored several couples preparing to marry in the Church.
Moved by her faith, Vivian volunteered her time with various organizations including the Houston Food Bank and ReBuild Houston. During her final days, she selflessly made masks to keep others safe during the current pandemic.Vivian loved to travel, and visited many countries in Europe. Having been advised that she might not be able to conceive, Vivian made a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France to bathe in the healing waters; she conceived her son shortly thereafter.
Since she was a child, Vivian had a love and fascination for pandas, beginning with the arrival of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing at the National Zoo. One thing that gave Vivian a source of great joy and comfort was being able to see the giant pandas. On both good days and especially the not-so-good ones, her day was always brightened by the antics and lives of the Zoo's panda family, especially the panda cubs, causing her to light up and laugh. One of her fondest memories was a recent family trip to say goodbye to the panda cub Bei Bei before his relocation to China.
The most important people in Vivian’s life were her husband and children. She will be greatly missed and remembered as a caring wife and loving mother, sister, and aunt. Vivian’s smile would light up anyone’s face and she embodied the meaning of the words ‘No man is a failure who has friends’.
Vivian is survived by Paul, her loving husband of 27 years; brother Arthur Encarnacion and wife Karen of Friendswood, TX; sister Marilou (Encarnacion) Schmidt and husband Dan of Austin, TX; son Philip Appeddu of Plano, TX and daughter Gabrielle Appeddu of Dallas, TX; and nieces Laurel Encarnacion, Paige Encarnacion, Gwyneth Schmidt, and nephew Blake Encarnacion, and other family members around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents Vicente and Lourdes (Gino) Encarnacion.
The Appeddu family is grateful for the gentle, attentive, and compassionate care provided by the staff of Memorial Hermann Hospital, during her final days. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Michael Altman, Dr. Courtney McCray, and Dr. Rodeo Abrencillo and their colleagues for their excellent healthcare and kind support during her last months.
On Saturday, January 9, 2021, a rosary for Vivian will be recited at 10:30 A.M. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Houston, TX, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. The Rite of Committal will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson, TX on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 11:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vivian’s name to the Corpus Christi Catholic Church so that the parish can continue to provide for the spiritual needs of her family, or to the Friends of the National Zoo Conservation fund so that the Zoo's visitors are able to have a moment to rest while enjoying the wonderful animals at the National Zoo.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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