Vivian Weyerhaeuser Piasecki, an impactful philanthropist, humanitarian, and civic leader for more than six decades in Philadelphia, died peacefully at home at 8:00 AM on Monday, July 10th. She was 92 years old.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Vivian was a newcomer to Philadelphia who devoted her life to making the City a better place— one that could meet the growing visible and invisible needs of its citizens. She took joy in building and revitalizing Philadelphia's arts organizations, museums, educational and medical institutions, social service ventures, as well as its public radio and TV. She was known for her highly effective management style, thoughtful curiosity, wisdom, and love of humanity.

Through her work on boards, and in her efforts as a civic leader she touched thousands of people, many of whom privately sought her advice and counsel when public efforts stalled. She was a- behind-the-scenes fundraiser and consensus builder, who rarely accepted the spotlight, but always brought her projects to closure with an added measure of wit and wisdom. Vivian's leadership shaped the destinies of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute of Science, the National Constitution Center, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, the Smithsonian Institution, and WHYY.

Vivian was among the first female board members on a number of local and national corporations, including Fidelity Bank, Greentree Insurance, the First National Bank of Palm Beach, Beaver College and the Potlatch Company. Her political appointments included service as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission at the request of Governor Dick Thornburg in 1980. Few of the major initiatives between 1960 and 2010 in the Philadelphia region went forward without being quietly supported by Vivian's helping hand.

In addition to engaging with established Philadelphia institutions, Vivian created and nurtured new ones that were reflective of her deep personal, moral, and religious values. These were: the Gladwyne Montessori School, the Margaret Roper Forum, the St. Malachy School, Family Support Services, Montessori Genesis II, the Balch Institute, the Please Touch Museum, the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, The Robin Hood Foundation, and The Museum Trustee Association. In each of these endeavors, she worked with creative individuals to form organizations that uplifted both the local communities and grew each organizations' mission, vision, and global footprint.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, to a prominent and industrious midwestern family, Vivian Weyerhaeuser Piasecki was the oldest child of Frederick King Weyerhaeuser and Vivian O'Gara. She and her younger sister, Lynn Weyerhaeuser Day (deceased) grew up as devout Catholics in St. Paul Minnesota. She was enrolled first at the Visitation Convent school and later at Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut. She graduated from Miss Porter's school in 1948 and enrolled first at Sara Lawrence College, later graduating from Vassar College in 1952.

Following college, she launched a lifetime commitment to politics by joining the 1952 election of Dwight D. Eisenhower for President. During the 1956 New York Republican convention, she was photographed by Life magazine on a mechanical elephant as an "I Like Ike" girl. Always pragmatic and principled, she supported candidates from both political parties over time. In 1958 she married charismatic helicopter pioneer Frank N. Piasecki (1919-2008) of Philadelphia, one of the original inventors of the helicopter, and whose tandem helicopter design revolutionized the industry. The Piasecki Aircraft Corporation continues to be one of the leading vertical flight engineering/research and development companies in America today.

Together, Vivian and Frank raised seven children, all of whom have pursued rich careers in the world of aerospace, business, and the creative arts.

Vivian was pre-deceased by her husband Frank and is survived by her seven children, Lynn (Court) Cunningham, Nicole (Peter Heymann), Frederick (Cathy), Frank (Claudia), Michael (Debra), John (Gretchen Sprafke), Gregory. Her niece, Vivian Day (John Stroh) and nephews, Stanley Day (Dana), FK Day, and Lincoln Day and her twenty-one grandchildren—Nikodem, Christina, Frederick, Nicholas, Charles, Vivian Zofia, Otto, Benjamin, Caspar, Mila, Clara, Olivia, Franklin, James, Alexander, Vivian, Cornelia, Lydia, Nicole, Jack, and Michael.

A celebration of her life with a Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, July 17, 2023, at St.Thomas of Villanova Church (on Villanova University Campus), 800 E. Lancaster Ave, Villanova, PA.  Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken PA.  For those not able to attend on Monday the Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at the following link - https://vums-web.villanova.edu/Mediasite/Play/92dabc83ebd548f4b70273d1ddf06e241d

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Malachy School of Philadelphia , US Constitution Center , or Bryn Mawr Film Institute .