Vivian D. English, 83, of Providence, went home to her Lord and Savior on March 5th, 4 days after a devastating fire at her East Side home. In accordance with her wishes, she was immediately and privately buried at Swan Point Cemetery, 106 Birch Road, Providence. She was the devoted wife for 42 years to the late Edwin A. English, an award winning photographer and camera man for the local media. Born in Providence to the late George and Eva (Michaud) Ducharme, owners of the former D & D Sausage Company, Vivian was awarded a scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and became an accomplished painter in oils and acrylics. She painted many wedding portraits of brides who had been photographed by her husband. Vivian also served as a clerk in the Providence Police Department and had a long career in social service work at the Providence offices of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services where she enjoyed a close association with, and the friendship of many co-workers, retiring in 2001 after 25 years of loyal service. A long-time communicant and active parishioner of St. Sebastian’s Parish in Providence, Vivian enjoyed homemaking, gardening, and traveling; her trips to Ireland, Bermuda, and pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette in the French Alps, were especially memorable.
Above all, Vivian was a woman of great faith and devotion. She prayed several times daily and was an avid viewer of EWTN programming. In keeping with her strong belief that, “Lent was Jesus’ time”, her wishes were that publication of her passing and scheduling of memorial services be deferred until after the Easter observance.

She will be sorely missed by her daughter, Renee English of Providence, with whom she lived during her period of declining health; her youngest son and caregiver, Michael English, of Burrillville; elder sons Edwin, Jr. of Providence and John of Coventry; 6 grandchildren, including Mayleen and Andrew with whom she had a special bond; several caring nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives; Otis, her wandering Eastern Box Turtle; and Boggie, her faithful Corgi. She was the sister of the late George Ducharme and Evelyn Arrighie.

All are invited to a celebration of Vivian’s life on Saturday, April 18th, beginning with a Memorial Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 45 Main Street, Harrisville. A gathering of family and friends at the historic Western Hotel in Nasonville will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to EWTN, 58 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210 would be appreciated. For complete obituary, online condolences, or to light a candle for Vivian, please visit the Berarducci Funeral Home website, providencecremation.com.