Born in Brooklyn, New York on November 17, 1930, Vivian received her BA from Brooklyn College and her doctorate in Chemistry from Penn State. She worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, (formerly the National Bureau of Standards) for more than 30 years, where she did important work evaluating thermodynamic data. She was an important scientific pioneer during a time when few women were allowed to study or practice science. In her retirement she was an accomplished painter and could be seen most Fridays as a copyist in the National Gallery of Art.
Vivian is survived by her loving husband, Robert L. Parker, her children Susan and David, and three grandchildren, Anna, Laura and Robert as well as her son in law Cesar Martinelli and her daughter in law Annie Gladman nieces and nephews Liz, Bonnie, Michael, Stephan and Stephanie. Donations in her name may be made to the National Gallery of Art. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5PM followed by an informal memorial service at 5PM on Thursday Feb 6th at Joseph Gawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC.
