Vivienne R Rohan

Vivienne Rae Rohan(Vicki), age 91, was peacefully called home to The Lord on Monday, December 21, 2020.

Her life began on June 16, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Ralph Patrick and Rae Elizabeth Kelley. Her childhood was filled with endless adventures along with experiences that left lasting memories. Through these experiences she developed her love of the arts, music, travel and Broadway plays. Vicki was a gifted artist and designer, way ahead of her time. Though not able to carry a tune to raise Abraham, she continued to sing like a canary anyway at every opportunity.

The family moved to Florida during the 1940’s, first settling in Lake Wales and eventually making Miami their permanent home. Vicki attended Miami Senior High for a few years before transferring to Rosarian Academy in West Palm Beach. While there her religious faith grew, as did her interest in learning more about Catholicism. After attending Barry College, she made the decision to become a convert and was baptized into the Catholic faith at the age of 21. Her best friend, Shirley O’Connor was her godmother. Shirley always said Vicki carried her cross like Christ did, later in life having full faith and trust in Him. She was an inspiration to all.

After college she moved back home and was employed by Pan American World Airways in the Public Relations Latin Division. She enjoyed travelling the globe and seeing all this world had to offer.

While living back home, she reunited with one of her closest neighborhood friends, Ann Rohan. Ann’s brother Bill soon realized his kid sister’s friend had grown up while he was away. As they say, the rest is history. They fell in love and were married on October 10, 1953.

She and Bill welcomed sons Bill, Pat and Mac, and daughter Rae while living in their first home on Key Biscayne. They moved back to her home in Miami to care for her parents, and welcomed 3 more sons, Tim, John and Paul.

She made sure that her children were provided with love, family, discipline, a Catholic education and just plain survival when her dear Bill passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 48. While the early years were full of expected and unexpected trials and tribulations, she stayed true to her Catholic faith and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1981 she decided it was time to move the family from Miami to a more peaceful environment and to be close to her first grandchild, William F. Rohan, III. And so the journey to Gainesville began. She was able to purchase her dream home, which she affectionately referred to as ‘Tara’ after one of her favorite movies, Gone with the Wind. Her two-story brick home in the Historic Duck Pond neighborhood would soon be decorated with favorite antiques that were bargained for with senseless auctioneers. They stood no chance against a ‘widow with seven children’.

She hosted numerous events over the years, from birthday parties to baby and bridal showers, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to name a few. Certainly one of her favorite events was the annual tree-trimming party. All were welcomed to this joyful celebration, with children on the staircase singing carols. Neighbors and friends all slowed down to remember the reason for the season. The night always ended with the reading of Luke’s gospel. The newest babies born were placed under the tree while everyone joined in to sing Silent Night, creating a peaceful home, if only momentarily.

Her unconditional love for others was her greatest gift. She could instantly turn complete strangers and visitors into friends. Vicki always made you feel like you were the most important person in her life. She validated who you were as an individual. She could take away your fears through her prayers, a squeeze of her hand and Holy Water blessings (or drenchings!). Her tremendous faith would guide you on your way, as she sent you off with a kiss on your cheek – a bright, red lipstick kiss, the telltale sign you had been loved by her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Patrick and Rae Elizabeth Kelley; her husband of 18 years William F. Rohan and her son Patrick Kelley Rohan. She is survived by her daughter Rae Conroy (Tim), Gainesville; sons William F, Jr., Gainesville; Malcolm (Lynn), Miami; Timothy (Christine), Fruitland Park; John (Krissy), The Villages, and Paul (Beth), Jacksonville. Her 21 grandchildren (Billy, Pat, Laura, Christina, Valerie, Danny, Vivienne, Colin, Bryan, Michael, Rae, Kelly, Brittany, Grace, Bridget, Timmy, John Michael, Katie, Chelsea, Emily and Peter) and 11 great-grandchildren (Caitlynn, Lucas, Harlow, Lucy, Cooper, Pat, Jackson, Jett, Diego, Coen and Charlotte) were especially dear to her heart.