Vivian Wright MacPherson, 82, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017, at her residence at The Davis Community. Mrs. MacPherson was born on December 30, 1934 in Plainsboro, New Jersey, the daughter of Joseph K. Wright, Sr. and Elizabeth (MacKenzie) Wright. Vivian graduated from Princeton High School in 1953, was employed by the West Windsor Board of Education and Walter B. Howe Realty, the Gallery of Homes.
Vivian enjoyed much success as a real estate professional, starting her own firm with three partners, then managing another real estate office. Vivian and a partner created the West Windsor planned community, Westwinds. Vivian was active in Girls Scouts as well as the West Windsor Parent Teachers Association. A member of the Princeton High School Choir, Chorus and Women’s Chorus, she augmented the alto section of many church choirs over the years. Vivian was active in many churches in her lifetime, most recently Little Chapel on the Boardwalk in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth “Betty” Wright; her brother, Joseph Wright, Jr.; and her husband of over 60 years, Ronald Murdock MacPherson.
She is survived by her brother, David O. Wright and Elizabeth “Betty” (Merritt) Wright of Columbus, New Jersey; a daughter, Rhonda (MacPherson) McIlwain of Richmond, Virginia; a son Darryl David MacPherson and his wife Nancy (Redfield) MacPherson of Fairfield, Connecticut; a grandson, James Bradley McIlwain and his wife Alexandra (Laudeman) McIlwain of Brooklyn, New York; a granddaughter MacKenzie Ruth McIlwain of New York, New York; a granddaughter Amy Elizabeth MacPherson; a grandson Andrew Wells MacPherson; and a granddaughter Elizabeth Grace MacPherson; all of Fairfield, Connecticut.
Vivian loved spending time with her family, home decorating, traveling, playing cards and board games, coloring, and working crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She loved to sew, the theater and music. She taught her children and grandchildren how to dance, sing harmony and she made holiday sweaters and vests for the entire family (her Christmas vests were a big hit at tacky sweater parties!) Vivian loved beautiful clothes, jewelry and always looked her best. She will be sorely missed – but there is no doubt by all who knew her that she was ready to be reunited with the love of her life, “Ronny”.
The family is very grateful for the love and care from the staff of The Davis Community. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial gifts be made to the Music Therapy Fund at The Davis Community, or Lower Cape Fear Hospice. A memorial service will be held to honor and remember Vivian at a future date at Little Chapel on the Boardwalk.
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