Obituary: Vivian Bernhardt, 74

Vivian Theresa Bernhardt: June 7, 1946 - May 17, 2021

Vivian Theresa Bernhardt, 74, a resident of Sharon in the 1970s to early 90s, died suddenly at her home in San Leandro, California on May 17. She was the loving mother of Jessica Mary Bernhardt and the best friend for 56 years of Faye-Ann Markowitz D’Elia, whom she met in college.

Vivian was born in Amsterdam, New York to Genevieve and Frank Bernhardt. She attended Amsterdam Memorial High School and Northeastern University in Boston. When she moved to Sharon on the recommendation of her friend Faye-Ann, who was raised in Sharon, Vivian worked at Pymalion, a hair salon in Sharon center, and at Travel Fair on Pond Street. She also tended an amazing garden at the Community Gardens, renowned for her green-thumb and her vast knowledge of plants and vegetables.

She and her beloved daughter Jessica moved to California in 1993 where she continued to work in the travel industry. In her spare time, she devoted her energies to care for a close friend who was a quadriplegic. In addition to gardening, she was passionate about music, especially The Grateful Dead, and at every opportunity attended live concerts.

Viv will always be remembered by her universal network of friends for her incredible kindness and desire to share, her homemade Christmas cookies, and the veggies from her gardens. She was a free spirit whose signature words, Sunshine and Rainbows, reflected all that was generous, nurturing and magical.

Donations in her memory may be made to shelter the homeless or to aid rescue animals.