Vivian "Drew" Hassele, 71, daughter, sister, and friend to many, passed away on November 2nd, 2023. She was preceded in death by her brother Fred and her parents, Walter & Tina, and is survived by her siblings, Janet, Kenneth, Carol, and Danny, as well as her lifelong friend and former domestic partner, Kecia.

Originally hailing from New York and Long Island, and always proudly keeping that NYC swagger, she called the San Francisco Bay Area home for the last 46 years. Her prime years of youth and vigor were spent immersed in and embraced by the burgeoning LGBTQ community of the 70's and 80's. Community members are most likely to recognize her as a longtime bartender and maintenance manager for Amelia's lesbian bar and dance club on Valencia St., though you may also remember her from Rikker's Liquors or occasional stints at Maud's and Olive Oil's. For medical reasons, Vivian effectively retired in the mid-90's.

Intellectually curious and perpetually learning, she was a fixture at her local libraries. Fascinated with history and sociology, she adored taking classes at Skyline and Cañada Colleges and reveled in the confidence, tolerance, and activism of the younger generations there. Naturally, she joined the Gay/Straight Student Alliance to continue her outreach. She courageously lived out and proud - educating by living example - using warmth, compassion, faith, and humor to bring people closer to understanding and acceptance. She was an exceptionally generous and loyal woman.

She is deeply loved and missed.

Vivian's funeral liturgy and celebration of life were held on 11/20/23 at Pacifica Chapel by the Sea. The committal service was at Skylawn Memorial Park and the repast gathering was at Moss Beach Distillery - in time for sunset right on the coastline she so loved.

Link to the photo slide show played at her funeral: https://youtu.be/NVmgBVUosuc

Complete recording of the funeral (webcast version) including the liturgy, eulogy, and personal remarks from friends and family: ​https://www.viewlogies.net/pacifica-chapel-by-the-sea/tK58xrpHp?pin=606596

Additional photos and videos to be added shortly.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to any of the following: National Lymphedema Network (lymphnet.org/donate), GLBT Historical Society (glbthistory.org/donate), or the Muscular Dystrophy Association (mda.org/ways-to-give) in memory of her beloved brother, Fred.

And, finally, we invite you to comment on this obituary site under the "Memories" and "Guestbook" tabs or feel free to contact us directly at [email protected] (Kecia.)

Thank you all for the beautiful support and remembrances.