Vivene C. Near, 84

Vivene C. Near, 84, with her children by her side, went to be with her Lord on Oct. 29, 2012, after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Vivene (Mims) was born in Muskegon, Mich., to Arthur and Cornelus Vannett.

She married Burton G. Near, Nov. 1, 1945. They moved to Southern California in 1953 to raise their family. Vivene worked for the University at Riverside in the art history department, until she became a Realtor in Hemet, Calif. She loved her work and the challenge of finding just the right home for each client. She became the first woman to sit on the California State Realtor Board.

Vivene and her family moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1970. She worked for Idaho First Bank, as a Real Estate loan officer for several years before opening “Vivene C. Near Real Estate” which she ran until her retirement in 1990.

Besides her family, she loved painting, fishing, reading, animals and birds. She had a contagious enthusiasm for life and embraced any adventure brought before her! Alzheimer’s did not rob her of appreciation of life, she felt blessed and fortunate to the end.

She is survived by her husband, Burt; and her three children, Vanna Weatherhead, Kathy Curran and Rodney Near, who loved her dearly and will miss her greatly. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; also a brother, sister, several nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Vivene’s memory, 910 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane WA 99204.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date.