Vivian I. Devine

Vivian I. DeVine 101 A½, of Hamilton passed away Monday, March 04, 2013 at the Marcus Daly Hospice and Palliative Care Center. She was born October 19, 1911 in Watertown, SD the daughter of John and Patrena Fansett.
- Vivian graduated from Watertown High School in 1930 and went on to earn a Registered Nursing Degree from Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, MN in 1934. Vivian received specialized training in the Pediatric Research Unit for premature infants. She moved to Helena, MT after graduation and went to work at St. Peters Hospital in Obstetrics.
- In 1938, Vivian married Paul DeVine at the Cathedral of St. Helena. She worked at Shodair Crippled Children's Hospital in Helena from 1949 until 1971 where she was Director of Nursing and Hospital Supervisor. During the Polio Epidemic Vivian received special training in New York City and the University of California on Iron Lung operation. Shodair was the second Hospital in Montana to have an Iron Lung to treat Polio patients. Shodair treated all types of crippled children; cleft lip and palate, birth defects and also provided care for babies that were adopted.
- While living in Helena, Vivian was active in the Montana Nurses Association, the YMCA Board, the Shodair Hospital Advisory Board and she was a member of St. Mary's Parish. She and her husband Paul were avid golfers and Vivian loved league play at the Bill Roberts Golf Course, dancing, traveling and back yard socializing with neighbors.
- In 1971, Vivian retired having served 40 years as a pediatric nurse and 23 years as Director of Nursing Services and Hospital Supervisor. Vivian and Paul relocated to the Sapphire Retirement Center in Hamilton in 1995 and became members of St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton. Paul passed away in 1997 and Vivian later moved to the assisted living at the Discovery Care Centre where she remained very active and had a determined approach to all challenges. Vivian maintained her keen mind, strong will and great sense of humor up until the end.
- Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents and 4 siblings. She is survived by her son, Tom DeVine and wife Beverly of Hamilton; 4 grandchildren, Debbie Blackwell and husband Pete of Spokane, WA, Patti Myers and husband Rusty of Rock Hill, SC, Tom DeVine, Jr. and wife Michelle of Sumter, SC and Paul DeVine and wife Kiersten of Charlotte, NC; her sister, Ruth Monssarte of Rock Hill, SC; and 9 great-grandchildren.
- The family suggests that memorials be made in Vivian's name to the Marcus Daly Hospice Endowment Fund, 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, MT 59840. The family would like to give a special thank you to Sister Margaret Hogan for all she did for Vivian and also to all of her caregivers at Discovery Care Centre and the Hospice Center for the wonderful care given to Vivian.