Vivian Hull, 91

Vivian Hull passed away July 28, 2016, after a brief struggle with heart disease. Independent to the end, she remained at her home in Whitefish under the care of family and friends.

Vivian was influential in numerous community organizations and committees. She became known to a generation of children during her 18 years as a secretary at Central and Muldown Elementary schools. Mrs. Hull knew the names of each student and remembered them years later.

She could make friends with all ages, from a shy 3-year-old to adults who valued her ability to listen. After her children were grown, she was known in the neighborhood as the “lollipop lady” for her stash of treats left by the front door. One longtime neighbor described her as the mother of Whitefish.

She was born April 5, 1925, in Whitefish to Florence and Harvey Montgomery. The last of nine children, she was younger than many of her nieces and nephews.

Vivian worked for a local attorney while in high school for $10 a month. After graduation, she was secretary in the Great Northern Railway superintendent’s office in Whitefish. In 1944, a chance encounter with a former classmate, Albert Hull, led to a whirlwind romance and they were engaged before his leave was over. They were married when he returned from the Pacific at the end of World War II. The union was interrupted after 69 years by his death last year.

They returned to Whitefish at the end of Albert’s enlistment and raised three children at their home on West Third Street. During her years as a homemaker, she sewed most of her daughters’ dresses. She created and sewed the Great Northern mountain goats costumes for the first Winter Carnival, and made outfits for a local dance studio. She was also prominent in Eastern Star and Rainbow girls; Cub Scouts, Brownies and PTA; Bible and Sunday school, and served as a deacon at the Presbyterian Church.

With her trainman husband on the road much of week, she learned to deal with crises ranging from a son’s broken arm to a flooding washing machine by herself. She encouraged her children to be adventurous and take advantage of the activities that the rural neighborhood had to offer. Education was important, and her three children all completed college.

While working and well into retirement, she was active in local organizations. Vivian was head of the Stumptown Historical Society during the renovation of the Whitefish Depot, pushed for keeping Central School downtown as a member of the building committee, and succeeded in getting the First Presbyterian Church listed on the National Register of Historic Places, noting its Japanese-American ties. She also was a frequent volunteer and updated records at the hospital, served as an election judge and more.

She was proud of being chosen as First Lady of Whitefish in 1984.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; and a son-in-law, Andrew Davidson.

She is survived by Richard Hull and wife Jennifer, Lauren Ball and husband Keith, and Andrea Davidson. Also surviving are grandsons, Kevin Ball and wife Alyson, Scott Ball and wife Maeve; and great-grandchildren, Ondrej, Zoe Vivian, and Charlotte Ball; and sister-in-law, Marybeth Montgomery.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 3, at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish.

Memorials in Vivian’s name can be made to the Presbyterian Church, Stumptown Historical Society or local charity of your choice.