Vivian Dyer, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and beloved educator, passed away December 24, 2025, surrounded by her family. A lifelong learner and passionate teacher, Vivian dedicated her life to her family and to the countless students she inspired over more than four decades in education.

Vivian was born August 2, 1948, in El Paso, Texas. She was the beloved daughter of Albert and Katherine Miskiel. She was an only child and spent her summers in Walsenburg, Colorado visiting her parents' large family. She loved the small town, the mountains, lake fishing, mushroom hunting, and baking with her grandmother.

Growing up in El Paso, she enjoyed playing golf, running track and watching University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) basketball and football games. Her father kept the stat book for Don Haskins so she attended all the Texas Western and UTEP basketball games, including the Men's National Basketball Championship game in 1966.

While at UTEP, she met her future husband, David Dyer, in an Immunology class and dated for a year before graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Science in the Sciences. On December 19, 1972, she married the love of her life, David, at St. Patrick Cathedral Catholic Church in El Paso.

Vivian began her teaching career at Jefferson High School and El Paso High School, teaching both English and Biology. In 1974, she welcomed her daughter, Allison. Shortly thereafter, Vivian and David moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she taught at Jenks High School. After three years, they settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1978 where their son, James, was born.

In Albuquerque, Vivian taught English at Eisenhower Middle School for 20 years, shaping the lives of many students. She earned her Master's Degree in Education from the University of New Mexico in 1986. She later continued her career at La Cueva High School, retiring in 2014 after 42 remarkable years in education. She was honored with the Who's Who Among America's Teachers award, nominated by students whose lives she profoundly impacted. Vivian had a rare gift for connecting with young people, building their confidence, and helping them achieve knowledge they never thought possible.

Beyond the classroom, Vivian cheered and danced while watching her husband's blues and country bands where he played the drums. She was devoted to her children's activities, served on booster boards and enthusiastically supported baseball, football, wrestling, and cheerleading. Summers were filled with swimming, golfing, and keeping her children active and adventurous.

Vivian lived life with so much energy and joy! She loved gardening, arts and crafts, golfing, skiing, swimming, roller skating, and bike riding. She was always ready for an adventure and found great happiness in hosting parties, attending Popejoy musical performances, cheering on UTEP Miners and UNM Lobos football and basketball games, watching La Cueva High School sports, exploring arts and crafts fairs, and traveling around the country. Her favorite destinations included San Diego, Seattle, New Orleans, Orlando and several Florida beach cities, and - most especially - Louisville, Kentucky, where she attended the Kentucky Derby. Nothing brought her more pride than attending her grandchildren's sporting events such as baseball games, basketball games, hockey games, dance recitals, and show choir performances.

Vivian is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, David Dyer; her daughter, Allison Stevens, and husband Jeff Stevens, along with their children, Sydney Stevens and Jake Stevens; and her son, James Dyer, and wife Carina Munoz-Dyer, along with their children, Santiago Dyer and Cassiana Dyer.

Vivian's legacy lives on in her family, her former students, and all who were fortunate enough to know and love her. Vivian taught thousands of students over the years, but her greatest legacies are the confidence she instilled in others and the love she poured into her family. She will be remembered for her enthusiasm, vivacious personality, dedication, and the countless lives she touched.

Please visit the online guestbook to add special memories. www.frenchfunerals.com

The Memorial Service will be held February 25th at 10am at French's Mortuary.

7121 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109