Vivian Levitt

Born in the Bronx, New York, a daughter of the late Meyer “Max” and Rose (Bodian) Ash, she had spent the majority of her life in New York before moving to Providence in recent years.

Vivian was a force, a wonderful daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, friend, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother. After meeting her future husband on a blind date under the clock at the Astor Hotel in New York City, she never looked back. She became a great cook, even though when she was first married she only knew how to make elbow macaroni. Vivian and Mel were a beautiful couple inside and out. Both had style and a fabulous sense of humor and loved fun, family and their friends fiercely. They loved living at Manor Towers in Riverdale, being part of the social scene and spending summers at the pool club. Vivian loved to play cards - bridge, canasta and pan. She threw herself into doing political work for the Democratic Party, which led to her working for the Bronx Community Board, a job she enjoyed very much.

Vivian loved to shop, something she definitely passed down to each generation. When lockdown hit, she became a voracious reader - polishing off two books a week and circling the next candidates in Sunday’s New York Times book review. Vivian read the New York Times from cover to cover every single day and prided herself on her high score on Saturday’s news quiz.

Every day found Vivian dressed (and smelling) like it was a special occasion. Perfect strangers were drawn to her and her fashion sense. A true style icon to the end, her black patent shoes inspired a lovely nurse at Steere House to buy herself a pair. She never went anywhere empty-handed, especially when visiting the doctor or dentist.

Most importantly, Vivian, aka Nee and GeeNee, loved her family and when the great-grandchildren came on the scene she kvelled from morning to night at their escapades. We feel truly blessed that she knew them and that they knew their great-grandmother.

Vivian will be so missed by her daughter, Carla Spacone and her husband Andrew of Providence; her son Russell Levitt and his wife Sherry Li of Chatham, New Jersey; her four grandchildren, Aaron Spacone and his wife Justine Le of Boston, Hannah Spacone and her fiancé Matt Gillen of Pawtucket, Amelia Levitt of New York City and Katie Levitt of Chatham, New Jersey; her two great-grandchildren, Nora Gabrielle Larrea of Pawtucket and Caroline Leigh Spacone of Boston; her three nieces, Joy Carson, Gail Fish and Charlotte Weiss; her nephew, Ken Ash; special cousins Heidi (Jerold) Green and Mayda (Greg) Kramer, many great-nieces, great-nephews and their children and many close friends. She was predeceased by her sister and best friend, Eta Ash; her three brothers, Lou Ash and his wife Lee, Henry Ash and his wife Marlene and Arthur Ash and his wife Mildred; three nieces, Carol, Ellen and Karen and her nephew, Richard. She also loved and was loved by her late precious beagle Woody and her late equally precious grand-dog Kramer.

Special thanks to the staff of Steere House, led by the extraordinary Dr. Nadia Mujahid, for caring for Viv with such love and attention.

Vivian was nothing if not memorable, so remember her with love. She may be remembered by a contribution to charity or simply by dressing as if each day is special.

Her funeral and burial will be private.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 100 Borden Street, Providence, RI 02903 or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, Providence.