N. Dartmouth – Vivian R. Cunha, age 75, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Cottages at Dartmouth Village. She was the daughter of the late Alice (Pina) Cunha and the late James R. Cunha and the sister of the late James R. Cunha, Jr.
Vivian was brought up in New Bedford and Dartmouth. She graduated from Dartmouth High School and attended Rivier University in Nashua, New Hampshire where she earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in French. She then taught French at Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett for 39 years before retiring in 2004. While at ORR, Vivian took her students on school trips to France and was also a beloved cheerleading coach.
After retiring Vivian enjoyed nothing more than working in her garden. She loved planting flowers in the Spring and nurturing them throughout the summer into the Fall. She felt her garden not only made her happy but also many others as they passed by her house. Vivian loved animals, especially dogs. She was a member of the Buttonwood Park Zoo for a number of years and enjoyed spending time there.
Vivian is survived by her nephew Davy Cunha, his wife Deborah and son Matthew of Maine, her niece Cathy Petiprin, husband Scott and son Logan of Michigan as well as her close friends Albert Cordeiro, Anne McLaughlin, and Judy Prétat.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday morning, prior to the church service from 8:30 to 10:00 A.M. The funeral will immediately follow with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:00 A.M. Burial will immediately follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St., New Bedford, MA 02740. Please see our website: www.perryfuneral.com for condolences.