Vivian Marion Cummings
1931-2018
Vivian Marion Cummings (McDougall) of Woodstock, N.B. died at
home at the age of 87 on Friday, September
14th, 2018 with her loved ones at her
side. Vivian fully embraced her last few months of life by
connecting with friends, building memories with family, and revisiting
special places. She peacefully departed in her own way and
on her own terms, a sharp mind and wit to the end.
The centrepiece of Vivian’s life was her family
– her husband of 65 years, Glen Cummings; her four
daughters, Dr. Jill Cummings, Gail Cummings (Shin Chin) of St.
John’s, NL, Joy Cummings-Dickinson (Leonard Dickinson),
Sally Cummings; and her son, Eric Cummings (Joan Donovan), and her
grandchildren – the enterprising twins Ken and Zack
Dickinson, Kathryn, Ryan, Jessie and Rozalynd, who is wise beyond her
years. Vivian’s commitment to family, engaging personality,
and strong sense of self has been an example to all who knew
her.
Born June 17th, 1931, Vivian was the
only child of the late Kenneth and Margaret McDougall (Theodore
Griffin, Houlton, Maine). Growing up in Debec, N.B., she
left home at 14 to pursue high school in Woodstock, attended Carleton
County Vocational School; and then went on to train at the Saint John
General School of Nursing where she bonded with a strong fraternity of
lifelong friends. She graduated in 1952 at the top of her
class with the highest registered nursing exam scores in New
Brunswick, leading the province in her academic achievements.
Following that, Vivian went on to work as a registered nurse
in Bangor, Maine, Newark, New Jersey, and Woodstock, N.B.
Vivian and Glen were married on October 3, 1953.
Vivian was tenacious in operating Cummings Construction,
which she and Glen built from the ground up. She was still going into
the office as recently as the past few weeks. As if running a
contracting business and raising a growing family of five children
wasn’t enough, the entrepreneurial couple opened Cummings
Drive-In Theatre in 1954. Organized, efficient, and bright,
Vivian paved the way for women in business. Whether booking movies or
bidding on construction tenders, Vivian never forgot a face or a
name.
Not one to sit idle, in her spare time, Vivian learned to ski
in her 50’s and she and Glen hit the slopes in Maine, the
Alps, the Rockies, and made several trips to Colorado. They also
enjoyed bicycling throughout Atlantic Canada and Quebec. They explored
Russia, Switzerland, Kenya, and the Caribbean, visited every province
across Canada, and travelled many roads and « tamarac
trails » closer to home.
Vivian enjoyed decorating, crafting, gardening, quilting,
sewing, and baking; often took evening courses at the Community
College and the University of New Brunswick; and was still going to
fitness class up until a few weeks before her cancer diagnosis. Vivian
was active in the Women’s Institute for many years. She
enjoyed the arts, the news and politics. It was important to her to
vote – Vivian was the first person in the Carleton riding to cast her
vote in the current provincial election. Vivian was a
voracious reader. She always joked that she had read every book at the
Woodstock L.P. Fisher Public Library during high school. She loved
keeping up with the times, and thrived on learning new activities –
from tole painting to French and computer courses.
The Cummings Family is grateful to Dr. Alborg, Dr. Mike
Perley, and Dr. Singh-Ranger, the extramural care team, Krista
Pedersen, Marta Walton, and personal caregiver, Tammy
Dickinson.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of the life
of Vivian Cummings at Connell House, 128 Connell Street, Woodstock,
N.B., on Saturday, September 22 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the W.I. Home in
Woodstock, N.B., the River Valley Cancer Support Group, Connell
House/Carleton County Historical Society, or charity of
donor’s choice. Condolences may also be placed online at
carletonfuneralhome.ca.
Vivian will be missed by her family, who benefited from her
many life lessons, from finish what you start,
anything is possible, and never give
up.
www.carletonfuneralhome.ca
“Serving All Faiths & within the Means of All”
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Vivian Marion Cummings 19312018..
Décès pour la Ville: Jacksonville, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
