Vivienne Ellen Werner

Vivienne Ellen Herbst Werner passed peacefully during the afternoon of 27 May 2026, at the Kline Hospice House. She was surrounded by family and friends. It was a quiet conclusion to a life defined by vibrant energy, a deep connection to youth, hidden devotion, and a lasting legacy.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Vivienne Ellen started life in a house with outdoor plumbing, selling eggs door to door, and treating turkeys, rabbits, and chickens as pets before they became dinner. A wild child, who moved out to her Grandmother’s house at 12 to escape her “too” strict parents, Vivienne culminated her years at Piscataway High School with a yellow Pontiac Tempest convertible. She frequently terrorized friends and family driving 80+ on the way to the beach or NY City. Luckily, a business teacher motivated Vivienne Ellen to attend Rider University and follow in her footsteps. While there, she found a new love, the theater.

Despite numerous drama productions, getting married, and having her first child, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and embarked on an extraordinary 52-year high school teaching career. Every fall Mrs. Werner recruited a new generation of “her kids”, building award winning 4th of July floats, putting on shows in the high school, in the community park, and taking them to regional and national competitions. These teens became adopted family, frequenting her classroom, theater, and home. For more than 5 decades she stayed connected to the youth and mentored teens in class, in clubs, and in life. After a full teaching career of 20 years at Green Brook High School in New Jersey, she started over with the Frederick County Public School System, teaching at both Frederick High School and Governor Thomas Johnson High School, for another 32 years!

Vivienne was a cornerstone of the school communities she served. Her boundless energy and diverse interests shone through as Yearbook Advisor, Class Advisor, FBLA Advisor, International Thespian Advisor, and in later years as a technology teacher and the Robotics Club Advisor. While frequently recognized at the local and regional level, her 1992 Maryland Teacher of the Year award was a personal favorite. Her mentorship left an indelible mark on thousands of students who frequently called her their favorite teacher ever.

While her career was her life, she took great pride and joy in her family. Vivienne is survived by her son, E. J. Werner (Barbara); her daughter, Lori Shoffner (Wes); her three grandsons, Will (Janae), Noah (Kaitlin), and Zeke; and her great-granddaughter, Leiana. And numerous generations of her kids.

Donations in lieu of flowers are requested at https://gofund.me/a2fe2c4b5

Family will receive friends at Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes, P.A., 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD on Friday, 5 June from 4-6 PM with a eulogy to follow. Vivienne will be laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery with a brief graveside service on Saturday, 6 June at 10 AM. Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com