Vivian B (Wille) Wheeler

Vivian B. Wheeler, age 97, of Magnolia, Massachusetts, died peacefully from complications of a stroke on December 27 at Kaplan Family Hospice House.

Daughter of the late Frank J. and Alma S. Wille, Vivian grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and graduated from New Rochelle High School at age 16. She then attended Wellesley College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in mathematics and chemistry in 1948.

During her early career in New York City, she did scientific writing and editing work for Bell Telephone Laboratories and the Rockefeller Foundation. She later moved to Massachusetts, where she was employed by the Army Quartermaster Corps Research and Engineering facility in Natick.

After her marriage to the late Colin L. Wheeler and the subsequent birth of her two daughters, she turned to freelance editorial work, which she performed from her home for several years, long before it became common practice. Later, she worked as a science editor and the assistant managing editor at Harvard University Press for more than 20 years. The highlight of her career was editing Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking book, The Chimpanzees of Gombe, and traveling to Africa to work with Dr. Jane in person and meet the chimps. In retirement, well into her 90s, Vivian continued her freelance editorial work, largely for Yale University Press.

Vivian was an independent, strong-willed woman who lived life on her own terms. Raising two daughters during the 1970s as a divorced mother was no easy task as there were few support systems in place, but she did it with grace and determination, and even found time to date and square dance.

Vivian enjoyed hiking and finished several of the 4,000-footers in the White Mountains. She would often ride her bike before work. She also loved to travel and visited many places—not only Africa, but Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Hawaii. She was an avid reader and music lover, who liked singing, playing hand bells, and attending concerts. She was also a wonderful host of themed parties.

A longtime resident of Winchester, Massachusetts, Vivian was an active member of the Unitarian Church, the PTO of her children’s schools, and the Winchester Hospital Winton Club. After moving to Magnolia in 1981, she joined the Manchester Women’s Chorus, the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Magnolia Library and Community Center.

Vivian was affectionately known around Magnolia as “the woman who gardens.” She found joy in spending hours outdoors tending to her garden during the warmer months. Indoors, her home felt like a greenhouse, filled with plants and life. Her household always included cats, which offered her comfort and companionship. Above all, Vivian cherished time with her family, especially her three grandchildren.

Vivian is survived by her two daughters, Kathryn A. Wheeler of Reading, Massachusetts and Susan L. Wheeler of Magnolia, Massachusetts; by three grandchildren, Alexindra A. Wheeler, Christopher C. Wheeler, and Jennifer B. Wheeler; by her nieces, Serena Wille Sides and Alison W. Harris, and their families; and by several cousins. Her beloved brother, the late R. Frank Wille, former chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, predeceased her, as did his widow, Barbara.

A celebration of life will be held at the Magnolia Library Center at 1 Lexington Avenue, Magnolia, MA on Saturday, February 1 at 2:00 PM. We plan to create a booklet of memories that we can share with all who attend, so we invite you to submit memories and/or photos ahead of time to suewheelerdesign@gmail.com. Or you can bring photos or momentos with you to the service.

Contributions in Vivian’s memory may be made to the Jane Goodall Institute, the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers, Massachusetts, or the Cape Ann Animal Aid in Gloucester, Massachusetts.