Vivian McLaurin (Matthews) Hess

Vivian McLaurin (Matthews) Hess, only child of Katie and Henry Matthews, died August 7, 2024. She was born June 15, 1933 in Tallahassee and was a graduate of Leon High School class of 1951. She attended Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans and received her associate in nursing at Broward Jr. College in Fort Lauderdale; Vivian was in the first graduating class and was also the class president. During WWII, Vivian’s father was Postmaster at Camp Gordon Johnston (Secret Army Training and P.O.W. Camp) in Carabelle. Moving to Camp Gordon Johnston, Vivian had to leave behind her beloved nanny Mary, her family and friends from the ages of 8-13. Before fulfilling her desire to become a nurse she worked as a secretary to the head football Coach, Tom Nugent at Florida State University and it was during this time at FSU that she met her husband Lawrence “Bud” Hess. He was teaching accounting at FSU and had some guys from the football team in his class. They married in the Methodist Chapel at FSU and shared 47 happy years together until Bud’s sudden death in 2006. She lived in Fort Lauderdale, Siesta Key, Sugar Mountain and finally moved back to Tallahassee. Vivian always wanted to be a nurse and dedicated 40 years as a labor and delivery nurse. Until that dream was fulfilled, she also worked as a legal secretary to the Board of County Commissioners in Leon County in the early 50s. Vivian was predeceased by her parents: Katie and H.V. Matthews; her husband Bud Hess; son and daughter-in-law, David and Silvana Hess; her beloved nanny, Mary and her fur baby golden retrievers Roady and Peaches. Peaches and Vivian spent time as an animal therapy team at TMH. Surviving her are her children: Kay Jordan (Wally); Lauren Paddock (Don) and her “Bonus Daughter”, Sandy Moser. Grandchildren: Donnie Paddock (Amanda); Katie Moran (Charlie); Katherine Scott (Garrett); Nicole Spencer (Alex) and Megan Jordan. Great Grandchildren: Levi Jordan; Charlotte Vivian Paddock and Maisie Glen Scott. Vivian loved her Scottish heritage (McLaurin), the sounds and feel of the beach and the North Carolina mountains. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Animal Therapy Program at TMH. If you would prefer to donate by check, please mail your check to the TMH Foundation, 1331 East 6th Avenue, Tallahassee, FL, 32303. (Memo: In memory of Vivian Hess). If you have questions, please call us at 850-431-5389. Or the V Foundation for Cancer Research (Memo: In memory of Vivian Hess. Mail To: 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC. 27513). Questions to kscott@v.org. The family will be receiving guests at Bevis Funeral Home on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 10:00am to be followed by a memorial service at 11:00am. Vivian and Bud will be privately interred at Tallahassee National Cemetery. Remember Vivian when you hear a newborn baby cry, seagulls at the beach or a song by Freddie Mercury and Queen. Links to donation sites: https://www.tmh.org/tmh-foundation/donate https://vfoundation.donordrive.com/campaign/vivian Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Vivian McLaurin (Matthews) Hess

June 15, 1933 - August 7, 2024