Joseph A. and Vivian A. McCann Veterinary Scholarship

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Vivian was born in Selleck, Washington in 1916 to Georgine and Alan Estby. She was the older of two girls. Alan was a mill worker but lost his job after refusing to cross the picket line during a strike. Looking for work, he moved his family to Seattle.

Vivian met her future husband, Joe when they were working together in a boarding house. It was the beginning of an adventurous life together. They lived first on Vashon Island where they managed the ferry boat waiting room. Joe got a job with the United States Custom Service which took them to the remote Taku Inlet, Alaska. Accessible only by boat or plane, Joe inspected barges passing through from Canada to the United States. Joe was soon called to service during WWII and joined the Coast Guard. After the war ended they settled in West Seattle where they were to remain in the same home for 50 years. Vivian worked for JC Penney in Seattle for over 40 years.

Joe and Vivian shared many interests including travel, gardening and their love of animals. Over the years they were never without pets including cats, dogs and birds. They were generous in their financial support of animal causes. They were also generous in their support of agencies that help the homeless people of Seattle. Vivian volunteered her time serving meals to the homeless.

Their travels took them all over the Unites States and to Europe, Japan and a favorite, Mexico where they would return again and again. They loved cruising also especially to Alaska, where Joe was born and raised, and where they had spent the early years of their marriage.

After Joe passed away, Vivian’s health began to decline until she could no longer live on her own and moved to Heritage House at the Market where she lived for 10 years. In her decline her memory failed but she never forgot her closest family members, her sister, brother-in-law and two nieces nor did she ever lose her love for animals or her kind and generous spirit and her compassion for those less fortunate than her.

Vivian passed away in February, 2008 leaving the majority of her estate to organizations that help the less fortunate and animals. She will be missed.