Vivian Evers was born May 29, 1922 in Leominster, Massachusetts to Agnes and Eugene Tourigny. Vivian’s mother died when she was six. Though he loved his daughter very much, her father was unable to operate one of the country’s first plastic factories and raise a daughter, so she attended a convent school in New Hampshire. Every Sunday he would visit and take her to their favorite ice cream parlor. About two years later, Mr. Tourigny remarried and Vivian was welcomed back home.
Between walking to and from school, the library, and the USO for regular dances, Vivian spent more time on her feet than millenials spend on their phone.
Vivian moved away from home when she was seventeen, but appreciating the importance of family, she moved in with her Aunt Regina. Later, she headed out to Rhode Island for work, while she lived with with another Aunt. Before long, Vivian found herself back in Massachusetts--Fitchburg, this time--working at
Ft. Devons.
Engaged before World War II, Vivian, like so many others, watched as her fiance went overseas, not knowing whether he’d come home. Her father, unsure if Vivan would like the environment of Cheyenne Wyoming, bought her a train ticket west to meet her potential in-laws and expose her to the drastically
different landscape.
If this was an attempt to keep Vivian on the east coast, it didn’t work.
Instead, she quickly formed a good relationship with her potential new family. After a another standing-room-only train trip took her further west to visit relatives in California, Vivian returned to Massachusetts and waited for her fiance to return home.
In 1946, Vivian married Clarence “Cokey” Evers.
The newlyweds moved west via train, stopping along the way to meet some of Clarence’s family members. Vivian and Clarence moved in with Clarence’s mother until they purchased a house in Cheyenne.
In 1947, daughter Gina Kay was born.
In 1954, the family moved to Ordway, Colorado, where they owned and operated a Ford dealership.
After selling the dealership, they moved to Longmont in 1963. The couple opened CJ’s Liquors east of Longmont in 1964. As she’d done throughout her life, Vivian worked hard. She managed the store full time, using her iron will to overcome setbacks until their business began to prosper.
Vivan always loved to host parties, sometimes packing fifty friends and family members into her house around the holidays. Her sense of fashion, gracious personality, highlighted by her gourmet cooking made a sure recipe for success.
In 1984, after Vivian and Clarence sold the liquor store, they began traveling. The couple visited Hawaii and multiple countries in Asia and Europe, until Clarence’s health declined.
In November of 1995, Vivian lost her husband of almost 50 years. Heavy hearted but unwilling to stay at home, she returned to traveling. She took a cruise on the Queen Elizabeth 2, was one of the elite few able to fly on the supersonic Concorde, attended classes at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and took
a cruise to Alaska.
In 2005, Vivian took her last trip to the east coast, where she visited with her sister, Jeanne and her family. Vivian toured the plastics factory her father had built, which is still in the family--currently run and owned by Vivian’s nephew.
Vivian’s health declined over the years following, but she never lost her unbendable will, her love of “out of this world” food, or her sense of style. She didn’t feel the need to conform to anyone’s expectations.
Though Vivian is not with us any longer, she has rejoined the many family and friends who predeceased her. Until we are reunited, remember there are many others who have been waiting a long time to taste her food and see her smile.
When our time comes and we are welcomed by the loving arms of our Father, Vivian will be with Him, waiting for us.
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