Vivian Hope Burton

Vivian Hope Burton died peacefully in her sleep on September 17, 2007, at her home in Austin, Texas. Vivian was born March 30, 1939, to Mae and Warren Henderson in Houston, Texas. She married Donald Luther Burton on July 5, 1956, and they were married for 35 years. Together, Vivian and Don had four daughters and traveled the world as an Army family. During that time, Vivian touched the lives of many children through her volunteer work with Girl Scouts, Pony Club and schools. She was also very active in support of other military wives and families. Her hobbies were riding horses and playing piano, and she especially loved to play music by Scott Joplin. She treasured the companionship of her beloved dog, Maxine. Throughout her life, Vivian dedicated herself to her family, which now includes nine grandchildren who affectionately knew her as “Oma.” She moved around the country to help her daughters raise their children, living the longest in Durham, North Carolina, and Austin, Texas. Always an outspoken activist, Vivian founded the No Build Coalition to save Durham’s Eno River from a planned four-lane highway. While living in Austin, she developed her life-long artistic talent into a business called Vivant Studio. She volunteered at her grandchildren’s schools and donated her artwork to local causes. Vivian was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother Steve Henderson. Vivian is survived by her former husband, Col. (Ret.) Donald Burton, and by her daughters: Constance Hope Cunningham and husband John Cunningham; Donna Lynn Deal; Rebecca Ann Shuman; and Robin Adele Fenner and husband Mark Fenner. Her grandchildren are: Erin Henry and Eric Brown; Ellen, Emily and Meredith Shuman; Ryan and Mary Deal; and Rachel and Roy Fenner. Her surviving brothers are Jimmy and David Henderson. A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 23, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1500 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Blanton Museum of Art, where Vivian was a Charter Member, at 1 University Station D1303, Austin, Texas 78712. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com