Vivian was born in Portland, ME on April 6, 1939 to the late Virgil and Aldona (Doucette) Bowden. She grew up in Portland, and attended school there. For many years Vivian worked for Porteous, Mitchell & Braun Department Store and then H&R Block; however her greatest and most rewarding job was that of being a wife, mother and grandmother.
Family was the most important aspect of Vivian’s life. She loved the family parties and picnics, celebrating the holiday seasons together, and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. Together with her husband Jose and daughters, they enjoyed traveling the world. From Hawaii, to the Philippines, and Vegas to Prince Edward Island, Vivian was able to see much of what life had to offer and cherish memories with close family and friends. Vivian loved to take photographs of all her adventures to share with everyone and loved to discover her family roots. She enjoyed playing Pokeno with her friends, and was a very active communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Westbrook, always finding time to assist with church fairs, picnics and dances.
Vivian is survived by her loving husband of over 54 years Jose S. Mendoza Jr. of Westbrook; their daughters, Bonnie Jensen and her husband Mark of Falmouth, Brenda Caron and her husband Mark of Windham, Karen Foster and her husband Daniel of Raymond, Tammy Gilman and her husband Peter of Windham; nine grandchildren, Naomi, Nicole, Amanda, Eric, Justine, Kyle, Emily, Michael, and Anna and soon to be great-granddaughter Leanna. Also surviving is a sister Diane Bradley, and six brothers, Joe, Vernon, David, Morris, Larry and Terry.
A period of visitation for Vivian and her family will be held this Thursday, February 21st from 5 to 7 PM at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland, ME. An 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial for Vivian will be held on Friday the 22nd at St. Anthony R.C. Church, 268 Brown St. Westbrook, ME. Committal services will be held in the spring of 2013.
Vivian’s family would like to extend a warm thank you to all the staff at the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine and Hospice of Southern Maine for the endless care and support over the last few months. In lieu of flowers, Vivian has requested to have memorials sent to:
Cure Pancreatic Cancer
The Lustgarten Foundation
1111 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714
Hospice of Southern Maine
180 US Route One #1
Scarborough, ME 04074
Care for Vivian and her family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland, ME.
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