Vivian Monica McCall

Vivian Monica George McCall born on June 29, 1934, the sixth child of eleven children born to George Montague George and Philomena Rosanna George. She entered the Harlem Hospital Nursing Program after graduating from high school and became a nurse. At that time I believe there was no distinction between registered and practical nurses. On January 28, 1956 she married Joseph McCall and they had one son, Joseph Bruce McCall Jr. born August 10, 1956. Joe Jr. as he came to be known married Liliana in Uruguay where he was a member of the basketball team and they had one daughter, Marianne McCall. Vivian departed this earth on October 27, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband and son and is survived by three sisters and their spouses; Mercia Okafor (Charles), Gilda Young (Thomas) and Felicia George (Gilbert Bryan) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Vivian and Joe lived in Brooklyn for the first 15 years of their marriage where they owned a neighborhood grocery store. Vivian left nursing to assist her husband in running the store and while Joe Jr. was in high school they purchased a home upstate in Binnewater, New York outside of Kingston. Vivian resumed nursing at St. Mary's Catholic Hospital in Kingston.

Her home in Rosendale became the place for many family gatherings particularly in the summer when she would pitch a tent in her huge backyard for barbecues. Her family came from New York City to enjoy the fresh corn and decadent desserts she became known for. Her famous concoctions included her cheesecakes and death by chocolate.

While in Rosendale Vivian joined her husband in becoming a golfer. She was part of a ladies golf league and served as an officer. She also was a member of a bowling league with her colleagues from the hospital. Vivian had a Saint Bernard dog named Ralph. The big dog was gentle and became a close friend of Mama's when she stayed at Vivian's for a while.

Vivian was a world traveler. She went on a trip to Mexico with her colleagues from the Kingston hospital. She also joined her sister, Lillian on an African safari and then went to China with Lillian and Felicia. She also never missed an opportunity to join family cruises and other outings in the States.

Later in life she took up needle point and some of us were fortunate to receive a sample of her work. She was always vibrant and giving and it was especially sad that she spent her final days unable to remember all of the good times she had.

She spent the last six years of her life in Tallahassee, Florida living with her niece Adrienne George. When her dementia required that she have twenty-four hour care, she moved to the Azalea Gardens and then to the New Journeys Residential Home Care facility. Adrienne and her other niece, Phyllis Wooten, were constant visitors and advocates for her care.

Vivian was a central part of the George family and will be sorely missed.