Vivienne Dorothy Arbon was born in Southampton on 26 October 1934. 
She attended Southampton junior school where she also won a scholarship to the girls grammar school. She set her heart on becoming a model but after an interview in London discovered that she didn't quite meet the height requirements of the time.


Her mother subsequently paid for her to attend Miss Wright's secretarial School for girls, which started her long career as a secretary and personal assistant.


She started her new secretarial career at Caxton Press, a specialised printing company.


At this time she had several hobbies including tennis, squash, art, reading and writing.


She married Roger William Tickle in 1957 and they had three children Jennifer Beverley and Roger Junior.


In 1968 Roger sadly passed away as a result of Cancer.


In 1969 Vivienne married Gerry Bendon, and they remained together for the following 50 years.


On returning from a short period abroad they set up home in Southampton, followed by a move to the Isle of Wight living at the former facility of the Black Knight rocket site at Alum Bay.


This is where she developed her love of Papillon Dogs, the first 2 being named Winkle and Cockle which soon extended to a family of six dogs.


Later they moved back to the mainland where their residence was a fort commissioned by Lord Palmerston. 
Vivienne enjoyed a lot of hobbies here such as still life painting, reading and writing a children's story about the adventures of the dogs at the fort. 


She would also jog around the fort boundaries for fitness.


During the period 1975 to 1980 she worked as secretary for an MOD Contractor after which she worked for Highbury College until 1983.


Her last secretarial post was a secretary and PA to the Provost of Portsmouth Cathedral, during which time they became very good friends.


Vivienne was also introduced to the Queen Mother during a royal visit to the cathedral.


In 1996 she left her secretarial duties to start on a new venture with Gerry in the sale of antiques and collectables.
She excelled in her displays of ceramics and fine China on antique furniture pieces which drew many complements.
They displayed their wares at many well-known venues including Alexandra Palace during this period.


They later moved back to the island again. 


After selling up once again they moved to Cornwall and the west country where they continued in the antiques business and regional antique fairs before retiring and moving back to the island in 2018.


Gerry passed away in 2019 after a long period of illness.


Vivienne subsequently looked forward to many visits from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren during her time at the Haven in Middleton.