Vivian Gates Obituary, Death – Vivian L. (Cusson) Gates, 82, died on November 16, 2022, while a resident of Webster Manor Nursing Home in Webster. Her three children, Debra J. Prunier of Oxford, Robin D. Metcalf and her husband Paul of Rochdale, and Mark A. Gates and his wife Caroline of Shrewsbury, survive her; as does her sister, Rose Mary Turner of Auburn; four granddaughters, Neicha Prunier, Sheena Gates, Anne Huber, and Mary Sujo; eight great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. She also leaves behind a number of great-grandchildren. Her ex-husband, Robert M. Gates, died in 2019, and her brothers, Edward and William Cusson, died before her.
She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Emile Norman and Jane Y. (Courcy) Cusson, and spent many years in Ocala, Florida, before moving to Oxford in 2004. Her parents died both before she was born. Mrs. Gates worked as a school bus driver for Bay Path R.V.T. High School in Charlton for many years. She later worked for Cumberland Farms as the manager of their Oxford and Auburn locations.
Mrs. Gates then ran the Self Service Garage in Auburn, which she owned, for several years. After a while, she relocated to Florida, where she eventually opened the Maine Place in Ocala. She used to spend a lot of time in Charlton volunteering as a girl scout leader when her daughters were younger. She found great fulfillment in her many years of service on the Oxford Dog Park Committee.
She cherished the time she spent with her children, lifelong friends, and, most importantly, her grandchildren. She was happiest when she was with her loved ones. A private funeral service will be held at the gravesite in Auburn’s Hillside Cemetery at a later date. The family requests that donations be made to the Oxford Dog Park in lieu of flowers. Make checks payable to the Town of Oxford and mail them to the following address: 325 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01540.
