The rhythm, beat, and life’s song of a sensitive soul’s heart was forever silenced on Friday October 14, 2016 due to the passing of Vivian M. (Soucy) Gingras, age 89. Vivian died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at Salemhaven Nursing Home, where she had resided for the past 3 years. Vivian or “Vee” (as she was known to family and friends) was a prolific songwriter and soprano-voiced singer in her earlier years, composing over 40 songs and poems, three of which she penned for each of her children upon their births. Though she never did publish or write professionally, Vivian was featured in recognition of her talent in an article written for the K.L. Shoe Company newsletter, The General, in 1959.  She worked there as a young mother for many years during the heyday of “shoe-shop” factory-life in the mills of Lawrence, MA, sewing the backs of countless women’s high heels, all on a “piece-work” compensation basis, literally for pennies per shoe she stitched. She was later employed in the same capacity for the Hiatt Shoe Company in Lawrence, MA until she decided to retire to become the full-time caretaker of her elderly mother and to assist, also, with the care of her grandchildren.

Vivian was the daughter of the late Peter J. and Angeline M. Soucy. She was preceded in death by her extremely devoted husband of 67-years, Lionel A. Gingras. She was also predeceased by her brother, Peter Soucy, Jr., and sisters: Theresa (Soucy) Gingras, and “Little Annette” Soucy.

Vivian is survived by her children: Normand A. Gingras of Chelmsford, MA, Francine A. Gingras of Methuen, MA, and Denise A. Rush and her husband, Edmund F. Rush, of Lincoln, N.H., formerly of Salem, N.H., as well as grandchildren: Nicholas Gingras, Ashley Gingras, Scott Rush, Lauren (Rush) Gilbert and her husband, Paul; great-grandchild: Noah Gingras, as well as several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Roland Soucy, and his wife, Yvonne, of Methuen, MA.

Vivian graduated from eighth grade at St. Anne’s Grammar School, Lawrence, MA, and later went on to aid in the war effort of World War II, stitching and riveting tents for the troops at a local tent factory. She never had the opportunity to attend high school, narrowly missing out on a scholarship to St. Anne’s High School by a 10th of a point, thus, having to attend, to her dismay, what was termed Continuation School at Lawrence High School.  She married her sweetheart, Lionel, upon his return from the war, making their home in Lawrence, MA, for over 25 years before moving to Methuen, MA, and later, to Salem, N.H.

Vivian was a devoted, and forever-safety-conscious, mother and grandmother. In addition to her songwriting, she enjoyed reading women’s magazines, perusing and storing numerous recipes for which to regale her family’s appetite. She was an excellent baker, and loved doing so for her grandchildren, particularly when they went off to college. She was the oral historian of the family, detailing what life was like in the decades of the 1920s and ‘30s to interested family members who would listen. She was a consistently dedicated Publisher’s Clearing House contest entrant. She also enjoyed reading and watching detective shows on T.V. as the self-proclaimed “good detective.” She enjoyed dining out with her husband and family, particularly for fried lobster, and for all foods enhanced with butter, earning her the nickname, “Mrs. Butterworth” by her son-in-law. A devout Catholic, she was very religious, donating small amounts of money for many years to the St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.  She believed wholeheartedly in saints and angels, praying often to them, owning a collection of figurines and pictures to prove it. Vivian’s poetic sentiments and the lyrical tempo of her songwriting will nevermore be revealed to earthly ears, her songs, believed, by her family, to be heard now only within the heavenly realm of those angels she so fervently cherished.

Calling hours will be on Thursday October 20, 2016 from 4pm to 7pm at Goundrey & Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH. A Funeral Mass will be on Friday October 21 at 10:30am in St. Joseph Church, 40 Main Street, Salem, NH. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen.

Memorial contributions may be made to The St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to National Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131

To send an online condolence, please go to, www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com

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