Vivian Mae Harrison Thayer

Vivian Mae Harrison Thayer, 95, of Columbus, left this life and entered into the eternal arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 4, 2025 at Four Seasons Healthcare Center with family by her side. Vivian was born on March 27, 1929 in Decatur County to Allen and Mayme (Leightner) Jessup; she attended Jackson High School. She worked at Product and Engineering Tool and Die Company for almost 41 years, retiring at the age of 78. She started there as a secretary/receptionist, and when her boss retired, she assumed his job of Purchasing Agent for the company. She loved her job and the people at PECO. She married John Marion Harrison in 1947; they were married for 41 years before his death on November 6, 1987. After John’s passing, she married James Craig Thayer in 1990. She is a member of Alert Methodist Church, and attended East Columbus United Methodist Church, as well as, The Chapel at Four Seasons. Vivian is survived by her daughters, Sherry Lynn (Fred) Whiteley, of Lebanon, IN, and Pamela Jane (Brent) Hartley, of Hartsville, IN; son, John Michael (Susan) Harrison, of Redmond, OR; stepchildren, Mark (Jean) and Craig (Laura) Thayer, of Columbus, IN, and Julie (David) Voor, of Mishawaka, IN; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren; brother, Wayne Allen (Virginia) Jessup, of Columbus, IN; sisters, Bernice Irene (Lowell) Haislup, of Seymour, IN, and Lenna Lou McIntyre, of Quincy, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Mayme Jessup; husbands, John Harrison, and James Thayer; stepdaughter, Beth Sechrest; and sister, Barbara Ann Spann. Vivian loved having her family together, especially for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She always made it special, even described as “magical” by one of her grandchildren. She always made Easter baskets for each one and gave gifts at Christmas. Her grandchildren have fond memories of spending the night with her, going to the movies (she usually fell asleep) and playing games with them. One memory is when she went to grandparents’ day and after lunch, went outside and played kickball with one of her grandsons and his friends while in her power suit and high heels during their recess. All the kids definitely thought she was the cool grandma. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Along with spending time with her family, she also loved IU basketball; she never missed the chance to watch a game. Viewing will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, with the funeral immediately following at 3:00 p.m., officiated by grandson, Barrett Hartley, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home on 25th Street. Entombment will be at Garland Brook Mausoleum. Those wishing may make memorial donations to Gideons International through the funeral home. You are invited to light a virtual candle of remembrance, and leave a condolence message for the family online at www.jewellrittman.com.