Catherine R. Viera

Portsmouth, RI - Catherine R McNamara Viera, 89, formerly of 3217 East Main Road, Portsmouth, passed away peacefully June 11, 2010 at the Heatherwood Nursing and Rehab. Center in Newport. Born in Fall River, MA on February 21, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Francis A. McNamara and Elizabeth Connors McNamara. She was the widow of Frank P. Viera, who passed away in 1979.Spending most of her early years in Fall River and Somerset, MA, she was a 61 year resident of Portsmouth. She and her husband ran a small roadside vegetable stand on the East Main Road, selling produce and fruit grown on the family farm, while they raised their children. The field is now home to Sakonnet View Housing Development. She was a former member of St. Anthonys Catholic Womens Club, current and long standing member of Portsmouth Post #18 American Legion Auxiliary having served as President for many years. When her children, were young, she was involved in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.She was employed at St. Annes Hospital and Truesdale Hospital in Fall River, first as a Nurses Adie, then as a Ward Secretary, a position she held until her retirement to take care of her husband. She most recently was a volunteer for Hospice. She enjoyed helping others and was a huge support for many of her friends, until her illness. She loved to shop and travel. And was able to do many coast-to-coast trips with her late sister. She truly enjoyed life to the fullest. She is survived by two children, Mary E. Viera-Moniz of Middletown and Frank Viera of West Warwick. She leaves behind six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. She is preceeded in death by her sister Phyllis McNamara Adler. She is survived by her niece Elizabeth Adler and her husband Len Silvester of Surprise, AZ, her dear friends Joan Therrien and Peggy Mercer.Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at 9:00am, from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am, in St. Anthonys Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth.Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 14, 2010, from 5-6:30pm, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to VNS Hospice, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to the Alzheimers Association of Rhode Island, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906. Thank you one and all, especially the staff at the Heatherwood for your kind and considerate care of Catherine. She always kept you smiling, and for the tremendous amount of support shown to her daughter Mary over the last week. Bless you all.