Vivian Claire Fonseca

Vivian was born to Matthew W. and Vivian C. Breslin in San Francisco, CA on April 14, 1931. She attended Mission High School where she was active with the Drama Department, and worked summers as a Counselor at the Girl's Scout Camp on the Russian River. Upon graduating she attended City College of San Francisco and worked part time in the accounting department at Emporium. She transferred to San Francisco State University where she earned a Bachelor's of Arts. While attending college, she met Arturo Augusto Fonseca, a charismatic Portuguese immigrant. "The Chemistry knocked her off her feet" as she would re-tell the story with a dreamy gaze and a chuckle. They would later marry and enjoy almost 50 years of marriage, raising four children, until Art's passing in 2002. Upon moving to Sonoma she returned to school to earn a teaching credential, among the first graduating class at Sonoma State University. She taught for many years in the valley including 22 years at El Verano School. Her favorite was the fourth grade. Her passion for Art, particularly oil on canvas brought her along with friends, family, art classes and more to visit hundreds of museums. She loved to paint and sketch; her talent was finding everyday architecture among Sonoma's vines and transforming them into striking pieces. A zealous world traveler, she would beg her husband to pull off the side of the road so she could snap a photograph of something she would later paint. She was active in the valley community; with strong Catholic faith she belonged to St. Leo's Parish since the Establishment, where throughout the years she taught religious education, and enjoyed lecturing, as well as religious dramatizations. She regularly participated in local theater, and was an active member of the Sonoma Historical Society, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Valley of the Moon Art Society. She loved volunteering at the Sonoma Depot Museum, bringing to life a historical character when a school field trip came - complete with an accent. Through her old age, she would warmly be stopped at the grocery store by former students from 30 years ago saying hello. A consummate optimist, eagerly transforming into the ages of cell phones and internet she continued to read and study, never slowing down. More than anything she loved time with her family and friends, outdoor activities like camping in the redwoods, road trip to Montana, picnics at wineries, and visiting California missions. She is survived by her siblings: Bob Breslin of Sebastopol, Phyllis Del Firontino of American Canyon, her children: Matt (Cristina) Fonseca of Geneva, Switzerland, Paul (Teresa) Fonseca of Cotati, Jane Fonseca of Sonoma, and Thomas (Cheryl) Fonseca of Rohnert Park. Her grandchildren: Meridith, Tanya, Victor, Peter, Erin Rose, Grant, and Sophia (all Fonseca's). Friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Agua Caliente Rd., Sonoma. A vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Duggan's Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St., Sonoma. Interment will be held at Valley Cemetery, Sonoma. DUGGAN'S MISSION CHAPEL