Vivi Badran, age 83 passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024. We had to say goodbye to the most wonderful mom a son and daughter could ask for. For the last six months we were dealing with some coronary artery disease issues. We thought we had it under control when it took a very bad turn nine days ago. A team of ER surgeons and vascular specialists did everything they could to save her, but unfortunately, it was her time.
A little bit about my mom for those who didn’t know her - she was from Denmark, carried a very strong Danish accent, and she was FUN! Coming up on 84, she was still very sharp. She loved to hang out with her children, in-laws (loved Lianna and Todd), and her friends (especially Ruth). She enjoyed gardening, sitting in the sun on her deck looking for cruise ships, road trips with her kids, drinking Chardonnay, watching TV (MASH, Law and Order were on a lot), reading in her den, and playing Rubik Cube. She really loved being with us and playing Rubik Cube .
Growing up, almost like playing the part of the perfect Mom from a Hallmark movie, she was always there for us - cutting up oranges for our soccer games, being a Boy Scout den mother, and supporting whatever we wanted to do next. In her mid forties, life threw her a few obstacles. She lost a very successful business, a top women’s fashion store called 'La Difference', (where she was voted best dressed woman in 1984) because of an unexpected street closure that lasted years, went through a divorce, and some other stuff she didn’t deserve. It would have been easier for her to go back to Denmark, where she still had some roots and community, but there was no way she was going to leave her kids.
She got a job at Scan Design where she worked her way up to manager, bought her own condo, and from there our family grew even stronger as a unit. Mom was always teaching us what it means to have grit and live with character. Not by her words but always through her actions. Maybe the best way to describe her is through some of your texts - "I’ll always admire the beautiful closeness you and Bettina enjoyed with your mom,” "Your mom was an amazing woman, I always enjoyed talking to her at your gatherings” and my favorite "Simply the Best…Tina Turner wrote that song with your Mom in mind.”
In the final six and half years of mom’s life, I feel blessed that we were able to find a home in Mukilteo where we could live with her. She had her own remodeled mother in law unit with a view of the Salish Sea, Whidbey Island and the Olympics. What Lianna and I thought might be a small burden on our lives (but of course Mom was worth it) was one of the best gifts life has given us. Mom filled this home with so much love and fantastic energy. For me personally, it was wonderful to see the love and friendship/ bond that grew between my mom and Lianna. We loved our pot roast dinners at her place in the cold months and barbecues on the upper deck in the warm ones. Of course, these evenings were usually followed by a few games of Rummikub.
The final couple years were even made better by Bettina moving close by. My sister was a champion of making sure she saw Mom at least a couple times a week - going on fun little road trips, helping her with a shopping/ Costco run, and usually finishing with a Happy Hour at a fun Mukilteo establishment like Ivar’s or Arnies. Plus Bettina called mom every morning to say ‘hi’. Bettina, you were such a great daughter and friend to Mom.
In closing, we were so blessed to have Vivi as our mother, so very blessed. Love you Mom, miss you so much! Look forward to that game of Rummikub with you in Heaven someday.
Join us this Saturday May 4, 2024 for A Celebration of Life from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Badran Residence located at 10430 66th Pl. W. Mukilteo, WA 98275
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