Vivian Orfanos

Vivian is survived by her loving children, Trent (Beth) Orfanos of Crown Point, Konstantine “Kim” Orfanos (Janet Hoyer) of Indianapolis, and Lexi Orfanos (Ross Pangere) of Winfield; granddaughters, Marianne, Evvie (Justin), Christina (Bruno), Jiori (Ricky), and Zoé (Nate); seven great-grandchildren, along with additional close family, and six godchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, George (2005); parents, Gust and Kalliope Anton; and her brother, Tom.

Vivian was born in South Bend, IN, on March 22, 1928, to Greek immigrant parents. She and her husband, George, chose to raise their children close to loving grandparents and the thriving Greek Community. They remained in South Bend until 2004, when they moved to Bloomington, IN, to be closer to their daughter. At the time of her passing, Vivian lived in Winfield, IN, with her devoted daughter and loving son-in-law.

Vivian focused her life on family and community. While living in South Bend, she shared her many talents with St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, which her parents helped to establish. She was active in the choir from a young age, as well as in celebratory and fundraising events. Vivian was a gifted singer and pianist with perfect pitch. After hearing a performance, she was invited to audition to sing for a big band at just nineteen years old. During her college years, Vivian and church community friends wrote and performed an operetta that was so well received, they were asked to perform it in other Greek Orthodox communities.

Vivian valued education and treasured her years at her beloved Indiana University, Bloomington. A particular favorite memory was being part of a women’s a cappella quartet that would perform serenades around Sycamore Hall and the Women’s Quadrangle. She was an immensely proud IU Hoosier, completing both undergrad and graduate degrees with honors. She met and fell in love with her husband, George, while at IU, who had played football, and later became a 50 year I-Man. Even when bedridden, Vivian watched every in-season game, including bowl and championship games during the IU Hoosier undefeated 2025/26 season.

Vivian taught well over 30 years. She initiated her career within the South Bend Public School System once her children were of school age. With no French teaching positions open at the high school, the superintendent saw an opportunity for Vivian to create a French language program for “gifted” elementary students. She developed a curriculum from scratch, traveling between elementary schools during her workday. Many of those young children remember her fondly decades later.

A gifted polyglot, Vivian taught French, Russian, and Spanish, as well as being fluent in Greek; she could sing and speak in three additional languages. Students loved her animated and caring nature and often sought her out during free periods. Following retirement, Vivian was honored to be an invited guest at former students’ reunions.

When a French teaching position opened at Riley High School, Vivian accepted it, eventually becoming head of the department. After leaving and completing her Master’s in Russian in 1964, she returned to Riley to teach French and initiate a Russian language pilot program.

Though Vivian was based at Riley, she traveled between high schools to create interest in her program within the wider South Bend Public School System. Shortly thereafter, Vivian was recruited to Mishawaka Marian Catholic High School, and established their Russian language curriculum, the only one of its kind in the area. She became a beloved French, Russian and later Spanish teacher at Marian. She later retired from the Elkhart Public School System.

In 1963, Vivian was awarded a full scholarship to study Russian through a major governmental initiative. The National Defense Education Act of 1958 addressed the national need for experts in critical foreign languages during the Cold War. The family moved to Bloomington, IN, for the 1963/64 Indiana University school year. Upon the completion of her intensive, year-long master’s program, Vivian was one of select students chosen for a five-week trip to the Russia/Baltic Sea area to complete finals and perfect her skills. In true Vivian fashion, she began this program with no previous knowledge of Russian and graduated as a top student. Her work ethic and determination carried her to the USSR and back again.

Vivian was strong yet soft, determined yet flexible, and witty yet always humble. She cared for others and gave so much to her family, friends, and even strangers. In her later years, she overcame several medical crises, seemingly miraculously at times, to remain with us for so long. She was filled with love and kindness until her final days.

We will remember a mother who made it her mission to raise three children to value education, give back to their communities, and embrace their Greek Orthodox faith and heritage. Nona Vivi, always young at heart, was a constant, loving presence in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. Three of her grandchildren were especially blessed by her support while living in proximity during their college years. Even in her eighties, she continued to travel and be present for the birth of several of her great-grandchildren until COVID made that impossible. She remained closely connected to her many beloved grandchildren and godchildren whether they were across the country or across the ocean.

We were gifted with her incredible presence for nearly a century. We are deeply grateful for the time we shared with a woman who brought joy, energy, and a sense of acceptance wherever she went. Above all, she will be remembered as a loving and generous mother and grandmother (Nona), as well as a devoted wife, aunt, cousin, friend and teacher. Musically gifted and grounded in her faith, Vivian cherished her relationship with God and others, leaving behind lasting and meaningful connections. As we move forward, we carry with us the lessons she taught us. Above all, be kind and remember, “It’s lie down, not lay.”

Funeral and visitation services will be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 8000 Madison Street, Merrillville, IN, on Wednesday, June 10th. The funeral service will begin at 11:30 AM CST. Visitation will be held beforehand from 10:30 – 11:30 AM CST.

Vivian will be laid to rest the following day next to her beloved husband at Valhalla Memorial Gardens, Bloomington, IN, officiated by Reverend Father Peter Jon Gillquist. Prior to interment, a short Trisagion Memorial prayer service will be given by Father Peter Jon on Thursday, June 11th at 12:00 PM EST at All Saints Orthodox Christian Church, 6004 South Fairfax Road, Bloomington, IN, preceded by a 90-minute visitation beginning at 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN, is overseeing arrangements. We are grateful to doctors, nurses, and caregivers of Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospice, to our amazing caregivers, Agape Care of Northwest Indiana, and to Father James Greanias of Saint Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church in Valparaiso, IN, who faithfully ministered to Vivian throughout her illness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to All Saints Orthodox Christian Church, 6004 South Fairfax Road, Bloomington, IN, St. Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church, 36 West 700 North, Valparaiso, IN, or St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, 52455 Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Orfanos family.