Vivian Mae Lemke Burch died February 7, 2017 after spending the weekend with family - drinking wine, reminiscing and laughing. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara, son-in-law, Doug and her step-grandsons David and Chris Briggs, who with their wives, Kelly and Jenny, graciously allowed her to be a great-grandmother to her beloved boys, Colin and Teddy. Aunt Viv also loved all of her nieces and nephews from the oldest to the youngest. We all remember her infectious laugh, her great cooking, her hospitality and her sense of style. She was predeceased in June by her husband of 69 years, Verne. Verne and Vivian met at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA. After working to put Verne through college and a detour to Kansas City, MO, Vivian graduated with a degree in education from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Vivian taught in public schools in St. Louis, Minneapolis and suburban Philadelphia for over 30 years, the majority of those years teaching students with disabilities. She also earned a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Southern Illinois University. She had a second career as an activist, advocating for access to health care for low-income women and reproductive choice through Planned Parenthood. She was a staunch supporter of environmental causes. She was a lifetime member of the Sierra Club and volunteered at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. She was a bird-watcher, gardener, seamstress and
forever a teacher. She supported the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program for school children. She was proud that her daughter worked with SPLC while working at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, which she also supported. Vivian loved flowers, so they are certainly appreciated, but she would be most thrilled with donations in her memory to Planned Parenthood, SPLC's Teaching Tolerance program, the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County or the environmental charity of your choice.

Professional arrangements by:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487

561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com