Viola Vivian Catchings Dally, born to Nora & Boyd Catchings south of Thorndale, TX at her Uncle Clarence’s & Aunt Viola’s house. Due to flooding associated with Memorial Day rainfall, Vivian was born on a stormy morning of May 28th, 1930 at the beginning of the Great Depression.
Vivian, the youngest of 3 children, acquired the loving childhood nickname - “Bib”- which was given to her by her older sister, Evelyn. Childhood friends & family continued to call her “Bib” well into her adult life. Vivian looked up to her older brother – JB, found a constant companion in her older sister – Evelyn, and was blessed with two loving parents. Her childhood life consisted of growing up in a single-room house south of Thorndale – no electricity, hauling water, raising chickens, maintaining cropland & gardens, along with producing livestock. She was always so proud of her modest upbringing & how it shaped her demeanor & guided her work ethic. Vivian attended Fairview School during her elementary years, Connelly for grades 7th & 8th and transferred to Thorndale High School for 9th-12th grades. A constant support in Vivian’s educational career was Ida Stiles; a favorite teacher that taught her at each campus and served as a mentor. Vivian assisted as a helper in the school’s cafeteria all 4 years of high school under the direction of Mrs. Ruby Murray. It was under her guidance that she began to develop an appreciation for cooking. Vivian was a 1948 graduate of Thorndale High School. Vivian liked to joke that what she lacked in “schooling”, she well made up for in common sense.
Vivian met the love of her life, Walter Dally, in the fall of 1947 at Watson Branch’s Fall Festival. Smitten by his kind demeanor, Vivian & Walter were married on August 14th, 1948 at the Travis County Courthouse. A simple couple, Vivian and Walter, enjoyed life on their family farm in San Gabriel, TX and were married for 56 years. Working side by side out in the farm fields, Vivian was no stranger to hard-work, heat, and labor. She had many fond memories of farm life shared with her husband. Vivian would regularly express how fortunate she was with her in-laws and extended family on the Dally side. The kindness that radiated from her mother & father in-law was nothing short of a blessing. Her mother-in-law, Annie Dally, shared her knowledge of German cooking & baking – lessons learned that she would incorporate into her own style of cooking and practice on a daily basis. On August 17th 1960, Vivian and Walter welcomed their beloved daughter – Jennifer Ann Dally. These 3 would go on to enjoy a happy and blessed home life – one of which all of them could be proud of. Jennifer recalls home life as slower-paced and peaceful; a favorite memory she has is summers spent shelling peas underneath the elm trees. A devoted mother, grandmother & great-grandmother were some of Vivian’s most treasured titles. While “Bib” was Vivian’s childhood nickname – “Dee” is what she was affectionately called by her grandchildren & great-grandchildren. Cherished memories from her grandchildren include: festive Bunny nests at Easter, homemade Patty Melts & French Fries, & regular shopping trips to H-E-B. Her great-grandchildren like to remember their Dee-Dee for her delicious homemade bread and biscuits, drinking Tang on the porch, and spending many hours coloring or playing with Play-Doh in the “Coloring Room”. Our Dee was the testament of unconditional love & kindness.
Vivian spent the majority of her life as a devoted homemaker who was incredibly talented when it came to cooking, baking, canning, sewing & gardening. Raised during the Depression Era, Vivian was keen on utilizing what she had and frugality was a well-practiced trait. Some of Vivian’s most well-known dishes were Dewberry Cobbler, Chiffon Cake, & Homemade Doughnuts. If you ever ate a meal at her home, you would recognize her kitchen table always covered with a white tablecloth and a wide array of down-home dishes: Homemade Bread, Cabbage Slaw, a Pot of Pinto Beans, Cornbread, and Sausage Links (if you were lucky). A talented seamstress, Vivian was known (and regularly utilized) for making clothing from scratch, garment repair, quilting, & embroidery. Her biggest sewing challenge consisted of constructing a drum major’s uniform for the THS Band. Her family members are blessed to have several treasured & handmade items including – quilts, bedspreads, crocheted work, Christmas decorations and ornaments, & stuffed animals. She was proud of her property and liked to maintain flower beds and mow her yard as a calming pastime. Vivian thoroughly enjoyed time outdoors and found calmness & relaxation when outside. An avid plant & bird enthusiast, Vivian had a knack for identifying all types of plants & could identify birds by their signature songs. Many a summer evening was spent sitting outside on her glider or on her porch. Vivian was also a talented painter and preferred to paint landscapes – a nod to her fondness for the outdoors.
Longtime members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Thorndale, Vivian and Walter rarely missed a service and actively participated in the church. Vivian served as a Sunday School Teacher for over 30 years and was a member of the Lutheran Quilter’s Group. Her sewing skills were on full display as she helped construct thousands quilts over a period of many years that were later donated on the church’s behalf to the Lutheran World Relief. Vivian enjoyed her church family and formed long-standing friendships with its’ members.
Family members proudly describe Vivian as “tough as nails”, stubborn, honest, loving and kind. A testament to her “grit” was that she lived her entire life without air conditioning and kindly refused to acclimate. Her trusty garden hoe always stood by her front door; ready and willing to battle rattlesnakes when an opportunity arose!
Vivian is preceded in death by her husband, Walter Dally, her parents – Nora & Boyd Catchings, and brother JB Catchings.
She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Kieschnick and husband Larry of San Gabriel; her grandchildren – Larissa Ensor and husband Matt of San Gabriel, Kristen Sovil and her husband Bobby of Taylor; her great-grandchildren, Vivian Ensor & Dally Ensor. And, her sister Evelyn Muston of Edna, TX along with many nieces & nephews.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Condra Funeral Home. A graveside/burial service will be held on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Detmold Cemetery with Pastor Scott Schaller from Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. A small reception will follow at the Thorndale Senior Citizens Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Thorndale.
Special thanks and consideration are given to Rockdale Estates, Gentiva Hospice, & Vivian’s RNs – Michelle & Annette.
Arrangements under the direction of Condra Funeral Home - Taylor, TX.
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