Vivian Frances Santry

Vivian Frances Williams Santry aged 91, of Alpine passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 5, 2023.  Born in Hondale, New Mexico on November 14, 1932, she was the only child of George Williams and Ophelia Gardner Salyer.   Vivian grew up in Deming, New Mexico.  After graduating in 1952 from Deming High School she moved to El Paso, Texas to study nursing at Hotel Dieu where she received her RN and began her nursing career.   While working at Hotel Dieu she met Thomas Santry.  They were married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on February 7, 1959. They were married for a wonderful 55 years.

Vivian was a strong, compassionate woman who dedicated her life to helping others.  She spent several years as a NICU nurse at Hotel Dieu. She went on to hold nursing positions in Alaska, Ohio, Deming, N.M. and Eagle Pass, Tx.. Tom and Vivian moved to Del Rio, Tx. In 1974. She worked as the school nurse for the Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District for 10 years.  In 1983 the family moved to Alpine where she continued working as a school nurse for the Alpine Independent School District.  Vivian went on to nurse for several years at the West Texas State School in Peyote, Texas. After leaving Peyote she was a home health nurse traveling around the west Texas area. Vivian especially enjoyed working with the elderly and was a geriatric nurse at both the Del Rio Nursing Home and the Alpine Nursing Home.  After leaving nursing she became the director of the Sunshine House in Alpine in 1996 retiring from there in 2006.  After retiring Vivian enjoyed spending her time reading, listening to music and working on puzzles.

Vivian is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Tom and her son Paul Brian Santry. She is survived by her daughters Terry Mendez of San Antonio, Tx, Karen Gallego (J.J) and Lori Santry (Wayne) both of Alpine.  She had four precious grandchildren: Megan Uptmore (Josh), Erin Gallego (Johny), K.C. Gallego and Justin Hubbell.  And the lights of her life, her great-grandchildren Rio Mendoza, Aziel Mendoza, Sloan Uptmore and was excitedly awaiting the birth of another baby Uptmore in January.  She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Kaye and Monty Music, her brother-in-law Patrick Santry as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services of rosary and mass are to be held on December 12, 2023 at Alpine Memorial Funeral Home with burial to follow at Holy Angels Cemetery in Alpine, Texas.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Sunshine House in Alpine.

Online condolences may be left at: www.alpinememorialfuneralhome.com

Services have been entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home in Alpine, Texas.