Wife, mother, friend, mentor, artist

Vivian Bornemann died peacefully in her sleep early in the morning of July 14 at the Claremont Manor Skilled Nursing Center, concluding a long life of many accomplishments and adventures just shy of her 93rd birthday.

“We are inspired by her example,” her family shared.

She was born Vivian Dorothy Brown on August 16, 1927 to Vera and Raymond Brown in Morganville, New Jersey.

Vivian graduated high school and secretarial school in Morganville and then applied these skills to help in the war effort at Lavoie Laboratories.

She married William J. Bornemann on July 2, 1949 and became a homemaker. The couple raised three children into successful adults, Bill, Bob and Carol.

Ms. Bornemann was an artist in many mediums: oil, watercolors, fabric marbling and ceramics, to name just a few. It was as an artist of the Oriental brush that she reached her greatest evolution, traveling to mainland China and Taiwan to further her studies. She leaves behind a great body of work.

She was also an accomplished sailor on both coasts, and a veteran of many pleasant trips to Catalina and the Channel Islands.

She was predeceased by her brothers Leo and Raymond, and sister Gloria.

Ms. Bornemann is survived by her husband William; children Bill, Bob and Carol; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

An ash burial at sea and celebration of remembrance are planned and will be announced at a later date. Email Bill Jr. at billbornemann@hotmail.com or phone (310) 977-0050 to be added to the contact list.

While she did not have COVID-19, the required protection measures greatly reduced the comforting touch of friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, get masks, gloves and hand sanitizer and use them.