She was born to Lewis B. Law and Maude H. Law on July 31, 1935, in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Vivian grew up in New York City and in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. She earned a B.S. degree in Home Economics from the University of Maryland and a Master’s degree in Communication Arts from Cornell University. Her career included positions in communications/public relations at West Virginia Cooperative Extension, Parkersburg, WV, Fred Riger Advertising & Public Relations, Binghamton NY, and New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, Binghamton, NY. She held numerous community leadership positions in the Binghamton area, including President of the Broome County Status of Women Council, Public Relations Society of the Southern Tier and local Cornell Club.
Vivian and her first husband, Charles Franklin Thomas, were married for 32 years until his death and were the parents of Valerie and Glenn Thomas. Married a second time to Dean Haulton, her blended family included: stepchildren Jon Haulton (Bonnie), Ellen Rury (Tom), and Susan Hunt; grandchildren Jessica, Kyle and Pat Rury, Jack Haulton, Jayme Haulton Rosenwinkle, and Jakob Hunt; and many great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Vesta Bissell and niece and nephew Tracy and Lance Bissell.
Vivian and Dean enjoyed their retirement together in Columbus, GA. They held season tickets to the opera in Columbus and Atlanta, regularly attended Steeplechase, and were members of Green Island Country Club. Vivian spent time each summer hosting family and friends at her beach condo in Ocean City, MD, and loved entertaining in her home. She was known as “the brownie lady” for her gifts of the homemade treats during the Christmas holidays. She was an avid reader and shared her love of books with friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 3, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the St. Elmo Room of Striffler Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907.
