Vivien Joan Waseleski

Vivien Joan Waseleski, born at home in Wembley, England on December 21, 1920 passed away peacefully at the age of 103 on February 26, 2024 in the care of her daughters at home in Southport, North Carolina.

She leaves her daughters, Donna (Walter) Katkevich of Rhode Island, Maxine (Dennis) Quinlan and Cindy Waselesk of Southport, North Carolina. She was beloved by her grandchildren Nicolas Katkevich, Rhode Island and Alexis Katkevich (Thijs Messelaar) West Newbury, Mass. and a great-grandson, Xander Messelaar.

She was predeceased by her cherished grandson, Jason. She also leaves a nephew, Simon Berns (Maaike) in Western Australia.

Growing up in Wembley she was an avid tennis player and a professional caliber figure skater. During the Second World War she was a Young Red Cross Volunteer and later married an American soldier, Max, to whom she was married for 55 years, living in Michigan until his death in 1999. She sailed across the Atlantic twice, once on the Queen Elizabeth. Joan had been in the presence of a young Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill and Ghandi with his goats in London and many interesting people from all walks of life, in many countries, whom she warmly embraced. Joan lived a long life that brought her from London bomb shelters to Western Australia and to America.

Prior to living in Southport, she resided in Weaverville, North Carolina for many years. Wherever she went she made good friends and spent time with them for lunches, teas and in Weaverville at the Council on Aging Senior Dining and Wellness Program. She enjoyed eating out at the restaurants on Main St. and, a voracious reader, could often be found reading a book on her deck with a cup of tea.

Joan was open minded, tolerant, strong, and had an extraordinary sense of humor and knew more quotes, poems, and ditties than just about anyone. Trivia Pursuit demanded she be on your team. Her knowledge of history both read and lived gave her great insight into the world of today.

She will be fondly missed by so many and her stories and life passions joyfully passed down. If we could imagine her anywhere, it would be beneath blue skies with the sun warming her lovely face.

Services provided by Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service of Southport, NC were private. Joan’s life will be honored on March 20, 2024 in Southport, North Carolina. Please contact the family for more information.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.