August 29, 1922 - December 15, 2021
Vivian Marie Garloff Machell ended her "good fight" here on earth on December 15, 2021 at home with many loved ones by her side. She's now with her Jesus and husband Leon of 72 years. She was a godly woman loved by many.
Vivian was the oldest of 5 children born to Benjamin and Charlotte Garloff in an upstairs apartment over a butcher shop in the country 4 miles south of Sebastopol, CA. She would spend the first 13 years of her life in the countryside outside of Sebastopol before moving with her family to San Francisco, San Bruno then Redwood City.
It was the fall of 1939 when Vivian met Leon at the First Baptist Church in Redwood City. It was the beginning of a lifelong courtship of more than 70 years, married December 12, 1942. While living in Redwood City their 2 children, Brett and Denise, were born. 1958 was the year they moved to Lodi residing in the same home for 60+ years. After retirement the two of them spent much of their time in their motor home traveling. Also touring the New England states, Israel, England, Germany and Hawaii. She also took classes in oil painting and watercolor; painting pictures of their travels.
Vivian was active in the church all her life, serving the Lord wherever needed; as a Sunday School teacher, deaconess, the helpline for The Center of Hope, Salvation Army, Temple Baptist Church. She never knew a stranger and was always sharing Jesus with all she came in contact with.
She started each day with Psalms 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Vivian was preceded in death by her loving husband Leon in 2015. Survived by her children, Brett (Linda) Machell and Denise (Ed) Surprenant; 9 grandchildren and their spouses, 23 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. Vivian and Leon's final wish is to see each one of them in heaven some day.
A huge thank you to Denise, Brett, Morganne, DeEtte, Brianne, Rosie, Kat, Mary, Stephanie, Sylvia, Kevin, A+ Hospice, you're the reason she could stay at home.
There will be a celebration of life on January 18, 2021 at 11 a.m. at GracePoint Church in Lodi, gracepointlodi.com/memorial-services. Interment will be private at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Machell family.