Ruth Esther Viera Was Warm, Friendly Person

Ruth Esther Andrews Viera of Vineyard Haven died peacefully at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, Jan. 19. She was 87. Ruth was born in Vineyard Haven on Jan. 11, 1916 to the late Benjamin and Esther (Sylvia) Andrews.

Ruth was married to the late Marion Viera on Dec. 12, 1932. They spent 65 years together and raised seven children on Martha's Vineyard. Ruth was a warm and friendly person. She loved to sit under the Linden Tree in Vineyard Haven and meet people from all over the world. She was well known by many of the business owners in town. They always enjoyed seeing her when she would visit for a cup of coffee or a friendly hello. Ruth will be truly missed by the residents and wonderful caregivers at Windemere. They loved her sense of humor and compassion for others.

She is survived by her children, Connie and her husband, Tony Lima, of Vineyard Haven, Benjamin and his wife, Joyce Viera, of Edgartown, Marion (Buzzy) 3rd and his wife, Donna Viera, of Columbus, Ohio, and Brian of Oak Bluffs; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and a son in law, Vern Jernegan of Edgartown. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her baby daughter, Margaret; a daughter, Marilyn Viera Jernegan, and her son, Milton, and his wife, Janice Viera.

Her funeral mass was held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church, Vineyard Haven followed by interment at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven. Memorial donations may be made to the Windemere Nursing and Rehab Van Fund, Attn: Betsy Burmeister, P.O. Box 1747, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.