Vivian S. Marks

Vivian Sless Marks (“Viv”) died peacefully at the age of 92 on February 1, 2026 in Canton, Massachusetts. Vivian was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was born in Philadelphia on August 27, 1933 to Simon and Ethel Sless. The family moved to Hartford, Connecticut when she and her older sister, Sylvia, were children. Vivian graduated from Weaver High School in 1951 and continued to Brandeis University, majoring in music and graduating in 1955. After college, she attended classes at Hartt College of Music for Music Education.

Vivian met the love of her life Gerald (“Jerry”) Marks in Hartford, and they married in 1956. Jerry, a classical musician, and Vivian had a wonderful, rich life together for almost 70 years. Their mutual love of music brought them together and was a lifelong passion they shared with their family. Their devotion to one another and to their three daughters, Cheryl, Andrea and Lisa was evident to all who met them.

Vivian was an elementary music teacher in Glastonbury, Connecticut for 20 years. She was a one-of-a kind teacher who introduced music to children through countless, creative ways. She was known to celebrate famous composer’s birthdays, dress-up in costumes for holidays and make sure each child felt that they could succeed. Her talent for creating parody songs for all kinds of occasions was a favorite part of any celebration.

Vivian lit up a room with her radiant smile and elegant presence. She was loved by all for her generosity and fun-loving humor. She was the consummate baker who shared her creations with all, sending countless packages to friends and family over the years. Each spring, her Hamantaschen were coveted and her Valentine cookies became legendary. She shared her baked goods as she shared everything: with an open heart and generous spirit.

In retirement, Vivian took up many diverse activities. She became an accomplished painter and proudly displayed her paintings at home. She also shared her time with others through decades of volunteering at The Hebrew Home, where she spent each Friday afternoon singing with the residents. Jerry and other musician friends would accompany her on occasion and the large room would be filled with clapping to favorite tunes, including Yiddish music. She and Jerry enjoyed traveling and yearly family summer vacations. All family members would convene in North Truro each August for two weeks of laughter and fun. Word games were Vivian’s specialty. She was a New York Times crossword puzzle expert and often got Wordle in 2 or 3 guesses.

She leaves behind her loving husband Jerry, her sister Sylvia Katz, her daughter Cheryl Marks and her husband Kimball Atwood, her daughter Andrea Marks and her partner Jane Nichols, and her daughter Lisa Downey and her husband Mike. Vivian was the devoted and proud grandmother of Matthew Monahan and his wife Veronika, Dan Monahan and his wife Anna, Jack Downey and his fiancé Shannon, Julia Dwyer and Natalie Downey, and two step-grandchildren, Samuel and Brian Atwood. Her five great-grandchildren Ava, Leah, Cameron, Mara and Sienna brought her countless joy in her final years. She also leaves 3 nieces, a nephew and countless friends.

We are forever grateful to the wonderful caregivers who took such loving care of Vivian and have become part of our family; Dottie, Elizabeth, Eve, Kelly, Tarseline and Maria.

The most important and enduring legacy of Vivian’s life was her devotion and love for her family. She was a beacon of shining light and showed us all the true meaning of love and acceptance in a family.

A funeral Service will be held Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM, at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, Massachusetts. Interment will immediately follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

The Chapel service will be livestreamed at: www.harborview.live/vivianmarks

Donations in Vivivan's memory may be made to the Orchard cove Enrichment Fund-Program Committee, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021 or at https://giving.hebrewseniorlife.org/site/Donation