Vivian Schwabish

Vivian passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, after an 18 year and seven month battle with breast cancer. Born on March 26, 1954, in Bronx, New York, to Irving and Katherine Schwabish, Vivian moved to Arizona in 1974. She attended Arizona State University, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in special education. After teaching for a few years, Vivian returned to ASU, where she completed her Masters in Counseling degree. Vivian ran a behavioral health agency in the West Valley before becoming an open adoption facilitator. Vivian helped childless couples build their families for many years before entering into private practice as a psychotherapist. In her practice, Options Counseling, Vivian focused on family and relationship counseling using cognitive-behavioral therapy. A master communicator, Vivian helped mend broken relationships and lives; no wonder that her clients loved working with her.

Vivian loved people. She would smile at strangers everywhere she went and soon be engaged in a conversation. Vivian was an endurance athlete running many marathons and races with her running group, Slowrunners. Vivian ran a half marathon one month after receiving full cranial radiation in 2015 after her cancer metastasized.  Vivian was married to her husband Ken Skaggs, for 42 years and had four children, Elena, Alexandra, Dylan, Brenden, and grandchildren Weslie and Elliot. In addition to her immediate family, Vivian’s brother Stephen and mother Katherine survive. A celebration of life will take place in the future. Memorial contributions can be sent to Hospice of the Valley or the Southern Poverty Law Center.  

AZCentral Obituary

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Bren, Viv and Joe running Equestrian.

The 2016 Phoenix Marathon has special significance for our group this year.

As you all remember, Joe was not there to greet us at the finish line last year. He had collapsed at the finish and thanks to the presence of highly trained medical professionals Joe received life saving trauma care.  Joe is in great shape again and typically we only see him at the beginning of a training run as he zig zags over the horizon out of sight to rejoin us at breakfast. Joe’s adventure.

We also have another reason to celebrate. One of the original Slowrunners, Vivian, who continues to be an inspiration to all of us is returning for the race. After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in December of 2014 Viv had surgery and received full cranial radiation. Less that 2 months after receiving radiation Viv was hitting the streets of Mesa in the half-marathon with her posse of RBs!

We want everyone to join us at Nellos in Ahwatukee between 5 & 5:30 on the afternoon of the 27th. We will take over the patio and have pizza, beer, salad or whatever to celebrate post race with Joseph and Vivian, our survivors who have refused to let adversity stop them.

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Cycling to Extremes

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