Vivian Blackwell

Vivian Blackwell, long time resident of New Orleans, died on January 16, 2021. Born Vivian Louise Wells in 1929 to Harold and Esther Wells in Binghamton, New York, she was the older sister to Buster and Shirley Jean. Vivian was raised in Binghamton and Summerfield, North Carolina.
After graduating from high school at age 16, she worked for the Vick Chemical Company in Greensboro, North Carolina. One day she was approached by what would now be called a Mad Man who told her to get him a cup of coffee – it was the forties after all. As he walked away, she muttered “you should learn to get it yourself you old coot.” Someone overheard her, chuckled and asked her out after work. That’s how she met Ed Blackwell of Atlanta, Georgia. They eventually married and relocated with the company to Charlotte, North Carolina where their first child was born. They fell in love with New Orleans following several business trips and moved there in 1950. Two more children followed.
Vivian was a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother. She had many roles in the lives of the people whose paths she crossed including Scout leader, civil rights activist, PTA leader, friend, member of the Homemakers, member of the Women of the Church at several Presbyterian Congregations, empath, Nai Nai, caregiver extraordinaire and relentless health care advocate, Westbanker, Brass Passer, Economy Hall resident and an opera fan (thank you Karl and Sharon for helping her get to the opera in her later years). In 1967 she became a fierce New Orleans Saints fanatic, then learned the game over the many years that followed.
Vivian was a gracious and welcoming hostess who showed all her guests how to embrace the arts, plays, exhibits, parades, music, food and life of New Orleans. By simply listening, she managed to establish a special relationship with almost every person she ever met and will be dearly missed by all.
Vivian’s husband, Ed, predeceased her in 2005. Her progeny include children Debbie (deceased), Michael (Sue), Nancy Gilbertson (Todd), grandchildren Annemarie (deceased), Michelle, David and Ella Grace, honorary grandchildren Lily and Katie, and 6 great grandchildren.
The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the caring staff at Sunrise Assisted Living Facility as well as Compassus Hospice. A memorial service will take place in the future when gatherings are safe. Contributions in memory of Vivian may be made to Roots of Music, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, or the Preservation Hall Foundation. MOTHE FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family during this difficult time. Family and friends may offer condolences at mothefunerals.com.