Submitted by: Dan Rich
Vivian Mae Mann
Jan. 22, 1909 - Feb 28, 1999
Vivian Mae Mann, 90, of Mishawaka,
Ind., passed away on Sunday, Feb. 28, in the home of her loving
caregiver, Sharon Wood. She is survived by two sons, Donald
(Betty) Mann of Mishawaka and John (Cherryl) Mann of Elkhart,
Ind.; a daughter, Nancy (Maurice) Whiteman of Mishawaka;
four grandchildren, Patrick Mann of Chapel Hill, N.C., Michael
Mann of Mishawaka, Chris Mann of Charleston, S.C., and Trudy Dull
of Elkhart; two great-grandchildren, Justin and Morgan Mann of
Mishawaka; and by several nieces, nephews, friends and extended
family. As Vivian Mae Miller, she married Donald R. Mann in 1938.
He preceded her in death in 1980. Mrs. Mann was born to Nancy
Mary Ann Miller and Henry Moore Miller on Jan. 22, 1909,
in Scipio, Okla. She was one of nine children, all who have
preceded her in death. They are Mattie Mead, Sam Miller,
Alford Miller, Mosie Miller, Jake Miller, Bill Miller, Chessie Thomas
and Bob Miller.
Mae was a member of the Communications
Workers of America, The Telephone Pioneers of America, and the
First Christian Church of Mishawaka. Mrs. Mann moved to Indiana
in 1918. She began work at the Bell Telephone Company at the age
of 15. She worked there as an operator from 1925-1939. In 1938
she helped organize the Association of Women Telephone Workers.
She was later appointed state director of the Communications
Workers of America, who represented all of the telephone workers
in the state of Indiana. She was the first woman in the nation to
hold this position with the CWA. Mae served for many years on the
AFL-CIO State Executive Board. She retired in 1974. In 1964
Governor Matthew Welch awarded Mrs. Mann the prestigious Sagamore
of the Wabash in recognition for her years of service to the
people of Indiana. Mae was the first woman to receive this award
in the state of Indiana. She will be remembered by all who knew
her as a person of integrity, compassion, fairness, and an
ability to relate to people. She spent her lifetime working to
improve the lives of others and to make a difference in our
society. Mae loved her family. They will miss her gentle, loving
ways. She always put us first.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Alzheimer's Association or to the First Christian Church.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday in the Bubb Funeral
Chapel North, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, where friends may
call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Burial will
be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind.