Vivian A. Flade

Vivian was born on a Tuesday, April 9, 1929, the first of two girls to George P. Germanetti and Mable E. (Hooker) Germanetti in Danbury, Connecticut.  Her sister, Jean, would arrive a little over a year later.  Vivian grew up during the Great Depression.

She grew up in Danbury with trips to her great grandparent’s farm in nearby Pauling, New York.  Surrounded by her aunts and uncles—the McDermotts, Dykemans, and Lynchs.  Summers were filled with swimming at Squantz Pond and winters with ice skating on Candlewood Lake.

After graduating Danbury High School in 1947, she went to work as an office clerk for Mr. Meyer.  In August 1949 Vivian was introduced to Edward J. “Sam” Flade Jr. by Jean’s boyfriend (Gilbert E. “Bud” Van Valkenburg).  It was a long way to hitchhike for Bud and Sam (both enlisted in the US Navy and stationed at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, RI) to visit their girls in Danbury!  But there was magic and in May 1950 Sam and Vivian were engaged.  They married on September 22, 1951.  Sam had served in the Philippians during World War II.  The couple would endure the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crises, and the beginning of Vietnam.  Vivian took on her toughest group:  Navy Wife.  Standing on piers in cold wet weather waving goodbye and, months later, joyously waving hello.  In between there was sewing clothes for two baby boys, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, creating ceramics, taking the boys to the beach, putting up with ship and squadron deployments (there were 12) and one “un-accompanied” tour when Sam was station at US Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Vivian “shifted her colors” (moved the household) to Jamestown, RI; North Kingstown, RI;  Danbury, CT; Memphis, TN; and back to North Kingstown, RI.

Along with Sam, Vivian was a charter member of the North Kingstown United Methodist Church where she supported it for many years as Treasurer as well as heading numerous committees.  As the boys grew up Vivian returned to work at Davisville Elementary School, Daly & Wolcott, Electric Boat, & High Point.  She volunteered with Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Vivian was strong willed—Sam would often say there were two ways to do things:  Viv’s way and the wrong way.  Vivian enjoyed ten pin bowling earning many trophies.  Later she enjoyed duck pin bowling.  Square Dancing was always an interest and she and Sam went to many events in many different regions of the country.  Sam and Viv enjoyed traveling and visiting with both sides of the family—often at the same time (no small feat for couples in Illinois, Virginia, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Vivian most enjoyed her time with her grandchildren (Peter and Julianna).  No matter where the grandkids were posted, Sam and Vivian would make every birthday (September), Thanksgiving and Christmas--spoiling the kids terribly.  The indulgence continued when the grandkids visited each summer.

After Sam passed away in May 2009 Vivian was heartbroken.  As she grew older, she had a living will made.  Strong willed Vivian was adamant--she insisted getting a “Do NOT Resuscitate” bracelet and threatened that she would come back to haunt anyone who didn’t follow her wishes.

When the house became too much to care for, Vivian moved to The Orchards at Southington, CT. There she was quite an active senior and close to her son, Robert.  Vivian made new friends and enjoyed many activities.  After nearly 5 years in Southington Vivian moved to The Bickford in Virginia Beach, VA where she was close to her son John.  Vivian made many new friends and again stayed active.  During Vivian’s last months she was received additional care from Trinity Hospice.

Vivian was predeceased by her parents George and Mabel Germanetti, her husband Sam, her sister Jean and brother-in-law Bud, her sister-in-law Dorothy (Dor) Cohrs and her husband Robert (Bob), her brother-in-law Harold (Hack) Flade and his wife Erna, and Vivian’s nephew Glen VanValkenburg.

Vivian leaves behind:  Lt Col John Flade (USAF, ret) and his wife Jody Flade, Robert Flade and his spouse Jim Hachey, Peter Flade (grandson), Dr. Julianna Flade (granddaughter), Peter VanValkenburg (nephew) and his wife Robin, Glen VanValkenburg’s wife Dawn, Thomas Cohrs (nephew) and his wife Ann, and Timothy Cohrs (nephew) his wife Vicki Simon.

On November 1, 2022, Vivian rejoined Sam with family at her side, she peacefully fell asleep and into eternal rest.  It was an unusually warm and spring-like Tuesday.

A memorial service will be held at the North Kingstown United Methodist Church, 450 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI on Saturday September 9, 2023 at 9:00 am with internment at the VA Cemetery after. Donations in her memory may be made to the North Kingstown United Methodist Church, 450 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI   02852.