Vivienne Frances Brown

“I will treasure the memories forever, because they are of you”

Vivienne passed away peacefully at Leighton Hospital on the 9th April aged 96 years. The beloved wife of the late Derrick, much loved mum to Valerie and a cherished aunty who will be fondly remembered and so sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Vivienne’s funeral will take place at Crewe Crematorium Chapel on Monday 22nd April at 11.30am

For further information please call our funeral home on 01270 584447

Vivienne was the second of 4 children, born August 1927 in Crewe, and she is the last to leave us. She had been very close to her sister Maureen and there is a special poignancy in that they both died on the same date – 9th April – though 70 years apart as Maureen died tragically young at just 25.

Vivienne’s father worked on the railways, and the job took him, with the family, to York, Wigan and Whitchurch, where Vivienne spent her school days.
By the way Valerie took her back to Whitchurch to celebrate her 90th birthday. A visit that included, Littons fields where she had happy memories of playing with her brother, sisters and their friends. Also stopping at their former family home, her school, Whitchurch Grammar School and the high street butcher’s location, where she was often sent by her mother to buy the small amounts of meat they could afford.

With the family back in Crewe, Vivienne’s working life began at McCorquadale’s printing works, where she remembers producing The Bradshaw’s guides, earlier editions of which were followed by Michael Portillo in his Great Rail Journeys series.

She then moved to the Local Co-operative Society, working in their Milliners, Baby Linen and Grocery departments, all the while picking up new friends – including Joan, who became a dear and lifelong friend. Joan is sadly no longer with us. But let’s hope they have met up again in the heavenly realms for a catch-up.

Let’s talk about the romance between Dek and Vivienne who met at the Studio dance hall on Mill Street. This was the start of the romance lasting
over 74 years, and a dancing partnership lasting over 60 years.
“Have you ever thought of us getting engaged?” wasn’t the most romantic proposal from Dek, but Vivienne said “Yes”! And so it was that they married in St Peter’s Church on Earle Street in 1951, with the Reception in the Vincent Street Schoolrooms. As we recalled at Dek’s passing, some of the food for the Reception was procured from Ireland because there was no food rationing in Ireland (remember as we said this was a time of austerity here) – which required several ferry trips with family across the Irish Sea, bringing back tinned goodies in suitcases. Thankfully the barrels of beer could be bought locally!

After their wedding they were welcomed into Dek’s mum and dad’s home for the first two years of their marriage.

Some year’s later daughter Valerie was born. She not only brought Dek and Vivienne great joy but has provided them with the care at home only the most loving daughter could. Now there is a huge gap in her life.

There has been sustaining and sustained love and romance over all those years between Vivienne and Dek. He may not have finessed the most romantic wedding proposal. However, Vivienne was more accomplished as a romantic, sending Dek Valentine cards which mysteriously arrived from all over the country, aided by her friend Joan who enlisted the help of delivery drivers through her work.

There have been so many lovely wedding anniversaries to celebrate over the years. But not all without drama. For example, on their 25th Anniversary party,  the wind caught the car boot lid, bringing it down as Dek was putting in the Chatwins cake he had just collected. After an unsuccessful attempt by Dek’s sister to fix the battered icing, a desperate call was made to Chatwins. Dek was sent back to Nantwich, where the icing was made as good as new by a lady who couldn’t contain her laughter at his plight.

Sometimes anniversaries came with great holiday associations, as for example their 50th which preceded a holiday in Cypress with friends Eddy
and Pat. Or the themed 60th Anniversary, when Valerie took them and some of their friends to York, where Vivienne’s mother’s family were from and where she had lived as a child.

Dancing deserves a special mention. Vivienne and Dek would dance the night away with family and friends in local clubs, such as the Coppenhall Club. They enjoyed dinner dances at Trentham Gardens. In retirement  they regularly travelled to dance at the infamous Blackpool Tower Ballroom and at St. Georges Hall in Liverpool.
There is an aesthetic, a beauty, a charm to dance. It is much more than physical skill. It speaks of so many things which move us beyond the superficial and obvious.

Vivienne also joined a line dancing class with her friend Joan and Joan’s daughter. Her sister Shirley, nieces Dorothy and Maureen plus Valerie attended the class in Nantwich with Vivienne, but, just the once! They fell by the wayside but undeterred Vivienne carried on.

There were plenty of day trips and holidays with family and friends both in the UK and abroad.  Some early holidays were organised by The British Rail Touring Club, often led by Vivienne’s father, where they met lifelong friends Elsie and Bill.

Here is another story. Some years later with the addition of their children, the two families were on holiday in Penzance.  Valerie’s friend Elaine also joined them and will testify that Vivienne did not have the best sense of direction. Her supposed shortcut led to her group arriving at the quayside long after the departure of the boat trip they were supposed to be on.

Vivienne and Dek enjoyed the oft-repeated family jokes which bind family life together and bring a smile. For example, when  Dek’s sister asked Valerie what her mum and dad wanted for Christmas one year, Valerie who had not long had her first car jokingly replied they would like car seat covers for when they travel in the car. Luckily they saw the funny side when they opened their present on Christmas Day, to find a set of car seat covers, which matched Valerie’s car perfectly.

Vivienne enjoyed regular trips to Jollees Cabaret Venue. She also liked the theatre and variety shows, especially in London, and was also a patron of the Lyceum.

With several cinemas in Crewe when Vivienne and Dek were younger (we had a quiz during the service to remember the names), they had spent many hours at the cinema. Vivienne continued her love of films, her favourite being “Goodnight Mr Tom”, a film full of sad AND joyful emotion.

Vivienne was a person with deep feelings, as in the film. She was a great friend to have. She was interested in people.

This interest in, and concern for, others was fruitfully demonstrated following the sad passing of her sister Maureen. Vivienne started to serve in the family shop that Maureen had been running. This little corner shop (now converted into a dwelling) buzzed with community spirit. There is something about corner shops which most people cherish, and the person behind the counter (as in hair salons and pubs and even banks if you can find one) makes it happen. Great for personal and community wellbeing. Vivienne did her bit!

As her health declined and she became housebound, she maintained regular contact with her sister Shirley and friends by telephone, keeping up to date with their family news for as long as possible.

She looked forward to her hairdresser Mandy’s visits to discuss the TV soaps as well as having her hair done.

Vivienne had been under the care of the District Nursing Team over the last few years. Having undergone leg biopsies in March 2023, she recommenced with regular visits from the team. She was indebted to all of them for their dedication in the long process of healing her leg, but had a special soft spot for Sean, Fiona and Carly.

It was hard for Vivienne losing Dek after so long together, and she was very grateful for the support shown and visits received from Valerie’s friends.

Dek’s and Vivienne’s ashes will in due course be reunited – a symbol of a greater reunion in the spiritual places. Their marriage was made to last
beyond their time on earth. Love has an eternal dimension to it. That love is something in which Vivienne and Dek revelled and in that love she, and all of you who love them, will see them again.

May they both rest in peace holding hands as they share this love which is eternal.