Vickie Cecile (Gardner) Fausz

December 3,1949 – September 10, 2014

After a wonderful, productive life, Vickie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in June 2014. Due to complications and her post-polio physical limitations, Vickie passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 with her family at her bedside.

Vickie was born in Huntington Park, CA, and grew up in South Gate, CA. At age 9, Vickie was diagnosed with polio, and due to the weakened muscles and other effects from polio, she underwent spinal fusion. Despite her physical limitations, Vickie determinedly remained active beyond expectations through her entire 64 years of life. Until her hospitalization in June 2014, Vickie continued to be independent and active in her daily activities, though curtailed in later years by increasing need for oxygen and the need for a crutch.

Vickie excelled academically, graduating from South Gate High School, and earning a scholarship to the University of Southern California. She graduated with honors from USC in 1972 with a BA in Occupational Therapy. Prior to her graduation from USC, Vickie met Newell Fausz, who was serving in the U.S. Navy. Vickie and Newell fell in love, and were married in Marshall, MI on May 12, 1973. While in Michigan, Vickie began her career as an Occupational Therapist at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. She continued her career in Occupational Therapy when they moved to Idaho Falls, ID in 1977. While in Idaho Falls, Vickie was also active in volleyball and camping with friends. In August 1980, Vickie again bravely overcame the physical limitations of polio, and bore their wonderful son, Jeff, shortly before they moved to Kennewick, WA.

After moving to the Tri-Cities, Vickie later resumed her career in Occupational Therapy. Due to her love of children, Vickie changed careers and began working as a para-educator at Highlands Middle School in Kennewick, WA. True to form, Vickie went beyond her classroom duties and served as an advocate for para-educators at the school. Though she loved her work at Highlands, she decided to retire at the end of the 2014 school year, and was in the process of retirement when the brain tumor was discovered and she was taken to Harborview.

Vickie began attending the Community Unitarian Universalist Church in the Tri-Cities, and over the years, became very active in various committees and teaching and counseling children.

Vickie was a wonderful woman, and is sorely missed by family, friends and coworkers, alike.

Vickie is preceded in death by her parents, Jack Lloyd Gardner and Dorene Cecile (Bone) Gardner. She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Newell Fausz; son Jeff Fausz; brother, Jim Gardner (Lavina) of Rowland Heights, CA and sister, Suzanne Cheryl Gardner (Bob Malecki) of Kingston, WA. She is also survived by many in-laws, nieces and nephews who loved her very much.

Please join Vickie’s family for a Celebration of Life service at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 5, 2014 at:

Red Lion Hotel Pasco

2525 N 20^th Ave, Pasco, WA, 99301

An additional Celebration of Life service will be held in Southern California later, at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to one of the following:

Community Unitarian Universalist Church

2819 W. Sylvester Street,

Pasco, WA 99301

or

Robert J. Harder Memorial Art Scholarship

University of Idaho Foundation

Gift Administration Office

PO Box 44317

Moscow, ID 83844-3147

or

March of Dimes or children’s hospitals of your choice.