Violet W. Bedford Gilman, 94, of Damariscotta, died Nov. 9 at Cove’s Edge Nursing Home in Damariscotta. She was born March 30, 1916 in Orange, N.J., one of six children to Stanley E. Bedford and Daisy (High) Bedford. She graduated from West Orange High School, West Orange, N.J.
During WWII, Violet spent her first working years helping make flags for Annin Flag Company, Verona, N.J. where her father worked as an engineer. Vi also worked at N.J. Public Service Electric and Gas, Newark, N.J., General Electric, Bloomfield, N.J. and finished her career as an Executive Secretary with Peerless Tube Company in Bloomfield, N.J. Part of her job at Peerless was to assist with the Avon cosmetic account. Vi was an extremely organized and dedicated professional who was honored as Secretary of the Year in 1981 at the West Essex Chapter of the National Secretaries Association. She retired at 69 years of age.
Vi enjoyed traveling, especially by car. Road trips to Nova Scotia, Canada, Colorado and Florida were often recalled. She also enjoyed her vacations to Hawaii and Bermuda. When her children were younger, she often vacationed with family to Long Beach Island, N.J.
Vi was a long-time member of the Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church, West Orange, N.J., and was honored for over 50 years of dedicated service. She loved music and spent many years singing in the choir.
She was a sweet and caring lady who dearly loved her family.
She leaves behind her brother, Fred Bedford of Vero Beach, Fla.; sister, Doris D. Bedford of Damariscotta; son, Frederick Allen Gilman, wife Diane Barton Gilman of Chincoteague, Va. and their sons, Richard Gilman (wife Kerri and children Casey and Thomas) of Whiting, N.J., and Kenneth Gilman (wife Jenny and children, Luke and Aaron) of Clarksville, Tenn.; loving and devoted daughter, Barbara Ann Riker and son-in-law Glenn E. Riker of Chamberlain and their daughters, Keira Leigh Claffey (husband George Claffey and daughter, Olivia Paige Claffey) of Port Murray, N.J. and Rebecca Paige Butler (husband Russell Butler and son Sean Zachary Butler) of Sparta, N.J.
Service 11 a.m., Mon., Nov. 15 at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, N.J.
Should friends desire, flowers may be sent to Restland Memorial Park, or a donation may be made to the Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church, 471 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Strong Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
