Vivien Ruth Perkins Rutter, 84

January 19, 1940 - February 08, 2024

Vivien Ruth Perkins Rutter, Viv to her family and friends, passed away on February 8, 2024, after a 2- year battle with cancer. She was born on January 19, 1940, in New York City. She attended NYU and met her future husband, Chard Fuller Perkins, at a dance. Viv moved to Lancaster, PA in 1966, with her husband and their children.

A few years after Chard’s passing, Viv found love again with Robert Rutter, aka Grandpa Bobby, to her grandchildren. She and Bob enjoyed traveling, walks in their neighborhood, going to the movies, babysitting Jordan and Alyssa, spending time with friends and hosting family dinners. Brisket was a specialty!

During Viv’s time in Lancaster, she was a member of Congregation Shaarai Shomayim and volunteered in the sisterhood where she was President. She spent many years working on the Social Action Committee, feeding people and helping those in need. She also spent time volunteering with CONTACT Helpline and enjoyed being a member of The Red Hat Society. Viv worked at both Shasta and Sears in customer service and was an office manager at Custom Craft.

A few years after Bob’s passing, Vivien decided to move to California to spend time with her younger grandchildren. Once there, she joined a water aerobics group, continuing her love for it after having started it in Lancaster.

Vivien’s children and grandchildren were her life. She is survived by her children: Drew (Lola), Los Gatos, CA; Mark (Deb), Lancaster, PA; Erik (Pam), Santa Cruz, CA and Ray, Portland OR. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren Todd, Cody and Leah, Saratoga, CA; Jordan, Nashville, TN and Alyssa, Lititz; Charlie and Rebekkah, Santa Cruz. She is also survived by her sister, Audrey Geissen, Lancaster. She is predeceased by her grandson, Daniel, Saratoga.

Viv loved to travel, cook, read and she absolutely loved shopping at Boscov’s on her visits back to Lancaster, most recently in November 2023 for 2 weeks at Thanksgiving.

Per Vivien, “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

Services will be held on Wednesday February 21, 2024, at 11 am at Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, 75 E. James St. Lancaster, PA 17602, with a visitation from 10 AM until service. Burial immediately following in the Shaarai Shomayim Cemetery. If you wish to follow the service on zoom, please call 717-397-5575 before 1O am on February 21.