Sandra Lynn Viviano

Sandra Lynn Viviano, age 62, passed away at home on June 14, 2018. She was born on January 8, 1956 in Denver, Colorado. After graduating from Wheat Ridge High School just outside of Denver in 1973, Sandy worked to put herself through the Community College of Denver. It was during that time that she met Frank, who would become her beloved husband and lifelong partner. They were married on June 16, 1979 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. The couple moved to Toledo and began their family, later moving back to Denver and subsequently Bismarck, North Dakota for Frank’s job. Growing up in the suburbs of Denver, skiing and riding horses on Table Mesa, Sandy’s gained a deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. This appreciation was clear throughout her life, most recently visible in the garden she cultivated in her yard. She loved to watch things grow and over the years transformed her yard into a rich, colorful assortment of plants and flowers. Sandy’s nurturing nature extended far beyond the bounds of her garden and into the lives of everyone she met. People seemed to innately sense that Sandy cared and it allowed her to develop close personal bonds with many people over the years. She regularly came home with stories about how standing in line at the bank or grocery store, strangers would begin talking to her as they would to a friend. Sandy would always listen patiently and offer an encouraging word. She was kind to everyone, regardless of who they were or how she encountered them. Growing up as an only child, Sandy embraced the big Italian family she married into. She was happiest spending time with her family, holding the newest baby, chatting with her sisters-in-law, or preparing one of her wonderful dishes to share. When it was time to eat she seemed to be the last one eating but among the first to roll up her sleeves and help clean up. She enjoyed spending time with family so much that she took the lead in planning a family reunion this August. Sandy’s love of family, kindness, and concern for others were just a few of the wonderful qualities that made her an exceptional mother. She dedicated herself to her four children and spent countless hours caring for them and running the Viviano household. When her youngest daughter was diagnosed with a developmental disability, Sandy served as a determined advocate, not only making sure her daughter had the best medical care but that she reached her full potential. Sandy’s desire to help her daughter extended to other children with developmental and intellectual disabilities; she took up their cause by serving on the board of Mary Immaculate School and later Hope Learning Academy. In 1992, Sandy and her husband Frank returned to Toledo. As the kids grew and started spending most of their days at school, Sandy joined her husband Frank in running Bartz-Viviano Flowers & Gifts. They ran the business together for nearly 30 years, both retiring only recently. Sandy’s official title was gift buyer but she did so much more than select giftware and make the store beautiful. She was always willing to roll up her sleeves and do anything that needed to be done and due to her warm personality, many of the employees trusted and confided in her. Sandy had a deep faith in God and was an active member of the Catholic community in Toledo, serving as a member of Christ Child Society as well as Legatus, an organization for Catholic business leaders. She enjoyed reading and belonged to a book club made up of close friends and was also on a bowling team. Sunsets and beaches always held a special place for Sandy. She treasured family trips to Hawaii and Marco Island, Florida, and her favorite thing to do on those trips was watch the sunset with her toes in the sand. She would often comment with wonder on how God painted the sky so uniquely and beautifully each night. Sandy will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband, Frank; children, Lauren Viviano, Jenny (Chris) Porter, Frank (Amanda) Viviano, and Tina Viviano. She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Bob Gilbert; and mother-in-law, Ellie Viviano. Friends and family will be received on Monday, June 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Ave. A rosary will be said at 8:00 p.m. and all are welcome to join. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 AM, June 19 at Christ the King Church, 4100 Harvest Ln., in Toledo. The family welcomes and appreciates any expression of sympathy you would like to make for Sandy. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.