Vivian Kleban

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Vivian Kleban, age 93, peacefully passed away on Sunday morning August 25, 2024 at Little Falls Hospital, Little Falls, N.Y.  with family by her side.

Vivian was born on October 23, 1930 in Richfield Springs the daughter of the late Harper E. and Florence Brewer Ackler. She was raised in Richfield Springs and was educated at Richfield Springs School.

After graduating from high school Vivian began her career as a telephone switchboard operator with the New York Telephone Company,  beginning locally in the Richfield Springs office, then on to the Herkimer office and lastly on to the Utica office as a long distance operator for AT&T. She retired in 1986 with 32 yrs of service.

On August 2, 1952 she married Joe S. Kleban in Richfield Springs at the home of her parents.

They celebrated 62 years of marriage, until his passing August 25, 2014. Vivian passed exactly ten years to the day of her husband.

Vivian was a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution, Astenrogen Chapter, Little Falls, N.Y. and a Life Member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

In retirement Vivian did volunteer work. Vivian loved to knit and was well known for making volumes of mittens, hats, slippers, lap robes, bandages and premature newborn outfits.

Her donated knitted items were given to the Telephone Pioneers of America, in Utica, N.Y. for local distribution to needy children and to the elderly. When she wasn't knitting she loved to do crossword puzzles, word finders, read, cake decorating, sewing, making afghan blankets, and assorted needlework.

Surviving her are a daughter Theresa Willemsen and her husband Frank of Richfield Springs; several nieces, nephews, step-granddaughter, Stacey Barnett, and her husband Christopher of Little Falls and their children.

Besides her husband and parents she was preceded in death by a brother Glenn R. Ackler a sister Louise A. Dutton.

The family will be present at the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs to receive relatives and friends on Thursday August 29th 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. On Friday, August 30th, 2024 at 11 a.m. a funeral service and internment will be held at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Richfield Springs, N.Y..

Expressions of sympathy may be made in donations to the Susquehanna ASPCA, 5088 NY-28 Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326 or The Astenrogen Chapter, The Daughters of the American Revolution, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.