Ernestine “Tina” Scarborough

September 18, 1932 – December 15, 2024

Ernestine “Tina” Scarborough passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024. She was 92. She is survived by two sons, Lee and Mark, as well as five granddaughters, two grandsons and five great grandsons. Tina was born on September 18, 1932, in North Brookfield, Massachusetts to Ernest and Sylvia (Wine) Vivier, the oldest of their three children. She is survived by her sister Sandra (Rob) and was preceded in death by her brother Francis in 2021.

The first in her family to attend college, Tina graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1955 and embarked on a career in early childhood education. In 1956 she married Arthur L. “Red/Artie” Scarborough and became a military wife. After duty stations in Denver and then upstate New York, she and her young sons followed her husband upon his deployment to Germany in 1959, where she served as an elementary teacher to the children of American servicemen.

Tina and Artie took advantage of being stationed in Europe and used the rare days of leave to explore as many countries as they could, packing along two small children. Tina used earnings from her teaching job to purchase collectibles and artwork in Germany. Those who spent time in her home will be familiar with the Hummels, paintings, the deep “bing bong” of her grandmother clock and the little cuckoo clock whose bird and dancers caused delight and fascination among the young grandchildren. When the duty was up in Germany, 1963 found them destined for Arthur’s last Air Force assignment in Portland, Oregon, where they would remain together until Arthur’s passing in 2013.

Teaching in the Parkrose school district until 1969, Tina changed course and employed her skills at home, raising and teaching her own children and enjoying crafting and sewing. You could have seen her at a booth at Saturday Market in Old Town or neighborhood Christmas bazaars where she sold handmade ornaments, men’s ties, and her many other creations. She grew that into opening her own quilt shop, named Scarborough Flair, in 1979.  The store was continuously operated for over 30 years in the same neighborhood where she lived for 60 years. She was particularly proud to sponsor an annual “City of Roses Quilting Party” which featured appearances, lectures and workshops with nationally recognized designers and experts in the quilting industry.

Upon retirement, she continued with lifelong interests like sewing, gardening and most of all, her role as a beloved grandma. Her journey through life was special and distinct, showcasing the strong sense of propriety and astounding work ethic rooted in her childhood as a farm girl from strong New England stock. She will be remembered by those who knew her as a creative, intelligent, and remarkable woman who applied her meticulous talents to family life as well as her business interests. She leaves an inspiring legacy for her friends and family.