Vivien B. Madsen

Vivien Brooksby Madsen (“Viv”), age 95, of Garland Texas, passed away at 11:40 AM CST on Friday, September 2nd, 2016. Vivien was residing temporarily at San Remo Rehabilitation Center after breaking her leg two weeks earlier. Her passing came quickly, painlessly, and was an answer to her prayers.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 10th at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2701 N. Garland Rd. Garland, Texas 75042.

Vivien is preceded in death by her beloved husband (2006) of 59 years Jack Enoch Madsen Jr. To their wishes, they will be interred together at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Jack was a World War II Navy veteran.

As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vivien sought to serve Jesus Christ by living her life in the path our Savior has set. Vivien was a Dallas Texas Temple worker until she was 92.

Vivien was born in Fredonia Arizona in 1921 to William Brooksby and Emma Elizabeth (Jensen) Brooksby. Vivien’s father owned the town general store, roller-skating rink, movie theatre, tourist motel, and two gas stations. Vivien’s adventurous spirit and athletic skills led her to Dixie Junior College where she became a member of the women’s championship basketball squad, college graduate, and one of the first women pilots trained and certified for the Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Army Air Force auxiliary) “ferry command” during WWII. At the end of the war Vivien moved to Los Angeles where she worked as a waitress at Eaton’s Restaurant in Arcadia California, with her new best friend Honor Madsen (Jacks mother). One day she asked Honor if she had any sons she could marry. Honor responded, “Yes, I do!” After a three-week courtship, Jack and Viv were married in the Salt Lake City Temple. Jack and Viv raised their family in West Covina California. After their family was grown, Jack and Viv then moved to Arizona, splitting their time between Parker Arizona, on the Colorado River, and Pinetop Arizona, in the White Mountains, where Jack and Viv loved to fish, water ski, play golf, and generally enjoy each other’s companionship. In 2004 they move to Garland Texas to be closer to their daughters.

Vivien was blessed with a very loving family that includes two surviving sisters, Marie Kerher of Mesa Arizona, and Kathie McDonough of Draper, Utah. Jack and Viv raised four amazing and devoted children. They are: Jack Enoch Madsen III of Kaysville, Utah, Marlene Madsen Browning of Garland, Texas, Eric William Madsen of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Linda Madsen Quick of Garland, Texas. These four children blessed Vivien with 20 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, and very grateful spouses who also loved and revered their mother-in-law.

Known for her soft spoken kindness, selflessness and witty comments, Vivien was beloved to all who knew her. She recognized and appreciated the blessed and abundant life she had been given. Vivien often said, “Jack promised to come get me”, and would frequently make witty comments reminding the heavens that she was ready to go home and be with Jack.

On the evening prior to her passing, she was playing her favorite card game with Marlene. When the last hand concluded, Vivien beat Marlene and exclaimed, “I’m a winner!”

Yes Vivien, you are indeed a winner.