Obituary of Vivian E. Porter

Vivian Estelle (Martin) Porter, 85, of Sidney, NY, passed away on November 18, 2021 at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, NY. Vivian was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, the fourth of seven children to George Irving and Bessie Marguerite (Griffith) Martin on February 3rd of 1936. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1954. As a child, Vivian was active in her local Lutheran Church, participating in Luther League. She attended Portsmouth General School of Nursing for a short time. While at nursing school, Vivian met Doug on a blind date, and they married in 1956 in Portsmouth, VA. Upon Doug’s discharge from the service, the family moved to Sidney in 1957, a place they would call home for the next 64 years. Vivian (Mom) was a devoted wife and mother of 3 boys and 3 girls. Mom loved to sing, dance and laugh, but most of all she loved her family. Mom was such a creative person and brought those skills to bear daily. As a mother of 6 and no drivers licenses or cars in our family, her creativity was essential. Whether it was coming up with 6 unique Halloween costumes each year, or figuring out how to make each birthday special or hiding over 100 Christmas gifts for the 6 of us, she always figured it out. We remember fondly, simple times when we called setting up the pool and a tent in the backyard “vacation”, and we remember how mom and dad would load all 6 kids on a Greyhound to go visit her parents in Virginia. Mom was a lover of holidays, and especially Christmas. Mom’s Christmas villages were legendary, and there was no such thing as “too much” when it came to her decorations. It is obvious that Mom’s love of family and community came from her upbringing. Vivian had a wonderful family of brothers and sisters scattered up and down the east coast, and each year it was an automatic that she was going to attend the Family Reunion. Whenever there was a way to spend time with her brothers and sisters and their families, Vivian was there and yes, there was song and laughter. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Vivian participated in Scouting as a Girl Scout Leader, was a member of the Sidney American Legion Auxiliary, the Sidney Fire Department Auxiliary. Vivian was also a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and looked forward each year to wrapping gifts for Operation Merry Christmas. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles and the only thing that surpassed her love of BINGO was her love of her family and friends. Once her youngest child Judy was born, Vivian went to work full time at Keith Clark (now ACCO Brands). During the 70’s, Vivian was a Union representative and traveled on behalf of her Union and was involved with contract negotiations. When she retired, Vivian returned her focus to home and family. Vivian loved to garden but most of all she loved her grandchildren and eventually their children. During retirement, Vivian and Doug would enjoy spending a couple of months each winter in Florida with their first daughter, Brenda and her husband, Robert. Mom and dad always enjoyed a day at the ballpark for spring training during their stay in Florida. Vivian is survived by her husband of 65 years, Douglas and their children: Brenda (Robert) Flowers, Douglas (Chris) Porter, Connie Dorsey, Donald (Cheryl) Porter, Richard Porter and Judy Porter (Mike); Vivian’s brothers and sisters: sister, Helen and brother-in-law, Bobby Baldwin, sister, Margie and brother-in-law, George Chadwick, and brother, Joseph and sister-in-law, Denise Martin. Vivian leaves behind 12 grandchildren: Robert, Katie, Danielle, Gabrielle, Amber, Robin, Crystal, Lauren, Ryan, Shawnee, Erica and Ian; and 21 great-grandchildren. Vivian was preceded in death by her mother, Rite; father, George; son, Ronald Porter; brother George and sister-in-law, Vivian Martin; sister, Betty and brother-in-law, Clyde Martin; sister, Mary and brother-in-law Bill Birmingham and grandson, Michael. Friends may call from 1:00-3:00pm on January 7, 2022 at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney, NY 13838. A memorial service will follow at 3:00pm at the funeral chapel. Following services at the funeral home the family will be in attendance at the Sidney American Legion from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 139 W. Main St. Sidney, NY 13838. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Leah and Staff at Fox Memorial Hospital, the Sidney Emergency Ambulance Services and the Sidney Fire Department. The family truly thanks you for your kindness. Share condolences and memories with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.