Vivian Russell Godfree (Davis)

March 3,1946 - April 28, 2024

Vivian, Mum, Grandma.

In 1974, Vivian and Jeremy Godfree enjoyed a picnic under the shade of two old elm trees on a farm property for sale on the Pugwash River Road. "What would you like to do?" Jeremy asked Vivian. She responded, "Let's give it a try."

With Vivian's architectural training and Jeremy's design and engineering background, they began building the home where they would raise Jenny, Guy and Bruce. With their hands and hearts, they filled their home with life and art, family and friends. They surrounded their home with wildflowers and re-wilded nature, offering a natural hub for Jenny and Andy to bring Jonathan and Margaret and for Bruce and Ella to bring little Scarlett. Walking or skiing, down to the river or to the top of the hill, were a daily feature of the simple delights that Vivian and those whom she loved most enjoyed as part of a joyful life that she and Jeremy created together.

Born in Cambridge, UK to Marit (Iversen) and Derek Russell Davis, Vivian and her older brother Jan grew up between Cambridge and Oslo, Norway. Vivian met Jeremy in Bristol, UK during the mid 1960s, when their lifelong partnership began from an immediate love for talking with each other. After their wedding in 1967, and out of a fascination with Canada, around the time of Expo 67 they moved to Toronto, ON for a year. At evening pottery classes they met a small group of friends who would ultimately be the reason they came to settle Nova Scotia a few years later.

Vivian loved community and nature, art and creating, reading and talking, and especially loved home. As important as these were for her, Vivian was dedicated in her life to sharing and protecting these joys for others. Whether advocating for Environmental Protections or for human rights and dignities, Vivian supported countless causes and people throughout her life and did so with wonderful empathy and an ingrained sense of justice.

Vivian loved swimming in sea water and was always the first one in. She was easily recognizable by the bright colours she favoured wearing, which was especially useful when riding her bicycle into the village.

More recently, her unique artistry with the Remsheg Rug Hookers, her support of the Public Library, and her dedication to the North Cumberland Historical Society demonstrated Vivian's long-time passion for being part of the community.

On the day before her passing, Vivian was participating in community clean-up efforts, having pledged to clean the litter from ditches lining a 3 km stretch of the Pugwash River Road.  She died very suddenly the next day whilst working in her garden.

Please join our informal celebration of Vivian's life on Sunday,19th of May 2024 between 1-4 pm at the Pugwash Lobster Factory at 249 Water St in Pugwash, NS. In her honour, you are invited to wear something with your brightest orange, purple, and red!

In lieu of flowers, financial donations and volunteer hours can be given to the ecological or human rights charity of your choice.

Recently while sitting in her living room with a cup of tea, and in one of her frequent moments of appreciation, Vivian thoughtfully said, "How lucky we are to have all these books," she then added, "I am grateful to have lived a good life."