Vivian Lavina Stedinger

Vivian L. Stedinger passed away on July 30th, 2018, at Lake Park assisted living and skilled nursing facility near Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif. She was 93. Her health had been declining for several years. Neptune Funeral home will dispose of Vivian’s ashes at sea, as was her wish.

Vivian grew up in the Seattle area with her aunt Violet Culver, and later moved to Oakland, to live with her aunt Marie Miller. Marie and Vivian loved to travel in the US by train. Vivian attended Fremont High School. During World War II she worked in the Richmond Shipyards. She graduated from UC Berkeley in psychology. She then married Russell P. Stedinger (now deceased) and the two lived in Oakland, Calif. After their divorce, Vivian married James Legler; they lived in Berkeley, Calif. For many years Vivian worked as a secretary for the Presbyterian Church, at their San Francisco Synod Offices, and later at the Park Blvd church. Recently Vivian was a member St. John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, and before that the Fruitvale Presbyterian Church in Oakland, where she was clerk of the session for many years.

Vivian is survived by her husband of many years, James Legler, and her two children with Russell. Her son Jery Stedinger, PhD, NAE, is a chaired professor at Cornell University. He and his wife Robin have two children, Matthew Stedinger (living in Ithaca) and Carolyn Ash. Carolyn is the mother of Vivian’s great-grand child, Brienna Ash, who with her mother and father Leonard Ash lives in Oakland. Vivian’s daughter Sandra Stedinger, M.D., graduated from UC-San Diego medical school; she is now a retired dermatologist living with her husband Jon Gauthier in San Diego, Calif.

Vivian was a devoted wife and loving mother. She was Sandra’s Campfire Girls leader and a PTA member. She will be missed by her family members. Instead of sending donations or flowers, please hug a member of your family whom you love.