Obituary: Vivian Lorraine Barrera, Former Peekskill Resident

From Meg Jones

Vivian Lorraine Barrera (Keith) (Vogt) joined her Lord Jesus Christ in everlasting peace at the age of 84 on February 6th 2021.

She passed quietly at the Sarasota Health and Rehabilitation Center in Sarasota Florida. The cause of her passing was dementia, complicated by the mandatory vaccine she was given two weeks prior to her passing.

She was covid negative at the time of her soul leaving her body. I was able to be with her on the phone via speaker as she passed, praying with her, telling her that I loved her, and my sister was at the exterior window looking on. No one was physically allowed in the room with her. But she was not alone. My mother had a very strong faith. She carried a cross with her at all times and she was a devout practicing Catholic. Mom was visited by a chaplain the same day and was able to receive the eucharist. I am comforted in the knowledge that she was with her Lord and savior as her soul transitioned.

My mother was born on December 2, 1936 in Peekskill NY to parents Marie and Alfonso Keith. She was the second of eight children. She was a graduate of Peekskill High School and Berkley Secretarial School. She held many positions from legal secretary, tax secretary and eventually settled in at IBM until she retired.

She lived her life fully and was an avid bowler, ballroom dancer, painter, seamstress, and animal lover. She had been an ecumenical minister, volunteered with 4H, and held posts in the PTA and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Mom lived most of her life in NY, moved to Texas, then to Massachusetts to be near her grandchildren, and to Sarasota, Florida for her retirement. My children always referred to her as "The Fun" grandma.

She is survived by her 3 children, Meg Jones (Peggy), Richard Vogt, and Wendy Vogt, as well as her 4 grandchildren Tanya Pearson, Kyla Schmigle, Bianca Roderick and Cade Jones-Pearson. She has 2 beautiful great-grandchildren Everly Schmigle and Hudson Schmigle. She leaves her sisters Debbie Coscia, Melissa Keith (Hughes), Helen Nocito, Mary Bast, and numerous nieces and nephews and old friends.

Mom was funny, smart, beautiful, talented, quick-witted, and always ready to give a kind word. I could write a book with the things my mom used to say, wise and wonderful words from a woman robbed of that gift by dementia.

A memorial service will be held on Ash Wednesday, February 17th at the Jennings Funeral Home in Sarasota FL. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Little Sisters of The Poor. My mom loved the mission of the sisters and your gift would be appreciated.