Vivian Kathryn Fausset

Vivian Kathryn Leonard was born September 18, 1939 in Longmont, Colorado to Robert (Bob) and Neva Robbins Leonard. Vivian was the youngest and last survivor of the seven children born in the Leonard home (Bobby, Willard, Bruce, Duane, Edward (Vance) and Deborah).

Vivian attended Longmont schools from Kindergarten thru High School. She loved to sing, and played the violin and piano. She participated in Drama and Theatre and was integral in starting the Potpourri Players community Theatre in Longmont. She graduated from Longmont High School in 1957 and kept her classmates together well past their years at Longmont High School. As a daughter of the local florist, she grew up working at the family owned flower shop picking carnations and learning the trade of floral arranging, weddings and dressing brides. Vivian loved to sew and knit and made clothes for herself and family.

Vivian married John Shelton in 1958. From that union came her two daughters, Bunny and Brenda. Vivian and John later divorced and Vivian took the girls to Denver and used her college schooling to work as a Graphic Designer in a Trophy Shop. After a short time, Vivian was needed back in Longmont to run Robbins Flower Shop. She took over the shop as a 3rd generation florist. She eventually sold the well-known and respected shop in 1969 and it remained open for a total of 50 years.

On December 30, 1969, Vivian married David Fausset, who brought his son, Jim, to live with them. The couple enjoyed a full life including being active ski patrol volunteers at Berthoud Pass, they owned and operated Front Range Adjustment Company and Vivian worked for many years at Speedy Bee Printing in Longmont. The family spent summers in Allenspark, CO starting in 1977.

Once they became empty nesters, Vivian and Dave took to the road to work on Catastrophic Claims adjusting throughout the United States. Upon their return they made their permanent home in Allenspark. Vivian filled her days serving the small community especially the Allenspark Community Church, writing for the Allenspark Wind, Hilltop Guild serving as President from 1996 – 1997. It was at the Guild that she learned to weave and became quite proficient and taught others her love of weaving. She volunteered with the Allenspark Fire department as a dispatcher. In addition, she volunteered countless hours to help feed the many fire fighters who came to fight the Wild Basin fires. Vivian loved writing and belonged to the Longmont Writer’s Club for many years. She wrote the weekly Allenspark News for the Times Call. Her love for writing continued with writing short stories and rewriting the life of her family from her mother’s journals. She loved researching and documenting Genealogy and sharing it with her family.

Vivian and Dave returned to the Valley for a number of years living in both Longmont and Loveland before returning to “their mountains”. She resumed her community service and spent many years enjoying the beauty of the mountains that she dearly loved. In 2024, they once again relocated to Longmont for health reasons and to be closer to their family.

Vivian was proceeded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Wayne and Eunice Wilson, her 6 siblings and her beloved Nanny, Vaudeth Shore.

Vivian is survived by her husband, Dave of 56 years, her daughter’s Bunny Traxinger (Dave), and Brenda Shelton (Dave Mathiesen). And her son, Jim Fausset. She is further survived by her grandchildren Jennifer Antonio (Gary), Kathryn Lopez (Nic), Michelle Mathiesen (RJ Gelinas), Michael Mathiesen and Jessica Zimmerman. In addition, she is survived by great grandchildren: Zayda, Jayda, Justus, Jemma, Katrina and Tristan. Also surviving her are many nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and nephews. And of course, many dear and special friends.

Vivian passed away peacefully June 17, 2026 after a battle with dementia. We are grateful for the support and love of the Tru Hospice nurses and caretakers. Services will be held on Friday, July 10th at 11:00 am at the Allenspark Community Church, 16 Washington St, Allenspark, CO 80510. If you are not able to attend, we welcome you to join the Zoom live-stream or view the video by visiting the church website:

https://allensparkcommunitychurch.org/upcoming

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Vivian’s Name for a Memorial Bench to be placed in her hometown of Longmont.