Highlands' #1 Fan Has Passed Away

[Birdsfan]

Please say a little prayer for a wonderful lady who dedicated 42 years of her life to the students and faculty of Highlands High School as a cafeteria worker. Viola "Vi" Gerding has fallen into poor health recently. Now her condition has worsened and she has been transferred to a Hospice.

 

Vi is much more than just a former school employee. She has been a truly dedicated supporter of the kids at Highlands in all their various endeavors.

 

At school, she was like an extra grandmother to all of her kids. She had an amazing ability to call you by name every single day. If she had a dime for evey hug she gave out, she would be a very rich woman. You always felt good seeing Vi in the cafeteria.

 

Outside of school, back when she was more able, she attended countless sporting events and other school functions. It was literally amazing how many times you would find her at an HHS event. Now in retirement, she still loves the kids -- every single one of them -- and loves Highlands. Vi will have her 90th birthday on February 13.

 

On behalf of every kid (and former kid) who has been touched by Vi, and all the parents, faculty and staff whose lives she's touched all these years, I ask that you pray for her in this difficult time.

 

Thanks.

[Henry521]

Vi is truely a beautiful person. She gave more to the kids and people around her than the entire city could ever give back to her.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Vi. A BLUEBIRD FOREVER

[stickymitts]

A quick Vi story. When I was a freshman at HHS, somehow Vi found out that we shared the same birthday, February 13th. Anyway, from that day forward throughout my high school career, she sent me a birthday card with $1 in it. I graduated and obviously didn't get to see her as much. However, February 13th the year after I graduated there it was...my card and $1 from Vi. I received those for about 8 total years.

 

I'll never forget Coach Lickert's senior thesis was on Vi, he raised money to plant a tree and get a plaque made for her in front of the gym. The first seat in the boys basketball gym on the home side was painted blue and reserved for the one and only Vi Gerding. Beautiful lady who would do anything for her kids at HHS......

[Birdsfan]

A quick Vi story. When I was a freshman at HHS, somehow Vi found out that we shared the same birthday, February 13th. Anyway, from that day forward throughout my high school career, she sent me a birthday card with $1 in it. I graduated and obviously didn't get to see her as much. However, February 13th the year after I graduated there it was...my card and $1 from Vi. I received those for about 8 total years.

I received many cards from her as well. I'm sure there are countless more stories out there like this.

 

They also named the street across from the school after her. But it was lost in re-design of the area.

[Henry521]

A quick Vi story. When I was a freshman at HHS, somehow Vi found out that we shared the same birthday, February 13th. Anyway, from that day forward throughout my high school career, she sent me a birthday card with $1 in it. I graduated and obviously didn't get to see her as much. However, February 13th the year after I graduated there it was...my card and $1 from Vi. I received those for about 8 total years.

 

I'll never forget Coach Lickert's senior thesis was on Vi, he raised money to plant a tree and get a plaque made for her in front of the gym. The first seat in the boys basketball gym on the home side was painted blue and reserved for the one and only Vi Gerding. Beautiful lady who would do anything for her kids at HHS......

 

That's the thing about Vi, she made everyone feel special. She would send Leatherneck B-day cards and then when we had our boys she would send them the B-day cards with the $1. I don't know how she kept up with everyones B-day but she did.

[stickymitts]

That's the thing about Vi, she made everyone feel special. She would send Leatherneck B-day cards and then when we had our boys she would send them the B-day cards with the $1. I don't know how she kept up with everyones B-day but she did.

 

That's unbelievable...

[True blue (and gold)]

What a wonderful person!

[extackler]

Vi, is a very special Lady. Like many others on this tread I have great high school memories of her. She always knew you by name as you made your way through the lunchroom. On game days she always made it a point to seek me out and give me a "Good Luck Hug". It always made my day. She is the Ultimate Bluebird Fan! Vi, you'll be in my prayers tonight.

[extackler]

Birdsfan, please keep us posted on her condition?

[Birdsfan]

Birdsfan, please keep us posted on her condition?

I got my info through the BGP "Bluebird grapevine." If I hear anything else I'll make sure to pass it along.

[DMZ76]

I was just at Schrader's Cleaner's and was told the news. A better, more fervent supporter of all things Highlands doesn't exist. God bless Vi Gerding and may He take her under His wing for they are truly "Birds of a feather"!

[75center]

I didn't grow up in Fort Thomas but when I moved in 23 years ago (pre wife, pre kids) one of the first people I heard about from our neighbor was Vi Gerding. Wish I knew her. Our prayers are with her.

[leatherneck]

Tough to add what's already been said about Vi on here. She is definitely one of the nicest ladies that I've ever met. As Henry mentioned, she continued to send me birthday cards, with the customary $1, for years after I graduated from high school. There was never any doubt that Vi loved you. With that big smile and the great hug, you just knew. Frankly, I have fonder memories of Vi than any coach or teacher that I ever had. When Vi does pass (and lets pray that its not for some time), the folks up in Heaven will have gotten the better end of the deal. But they better have a bunch of thumbtacks for her to use putting up newspaper clippings about Highlands everywhere.:thumb:

 

Thanks BF from bringing this to our attention and thanks Sticky for the pm to Henry.

[Run To State]

My thoughts and prayers go out to VI, very few people touch a community the way she has done here in Fort Thomas. May God bless her.

[JOHNDUNHOFT]

My prayers go out for her and the HHS family, May God Bless. JD