Pauline Ruth Vickers

Born in Akron, Ohio, on November 9, 1922, to Dorothy Emma McCoy and Paul Rodgers, she had been a resident of Riverside since 1970.

A graduate of the Class of 1940 at B.M.C. Durfee High School, Mrs. Vickers worked as a secretary first for Firestone Rubber Company and then for Massasoit Manufacturing Company in Fall River. For six years she was the secretary to the superintendent of the Swansea Public Schools. In later years, she worked at several law firms in Providence and retired at the age of 79 from the Gunning and LaFazia law firm.

Mrs. Vickers is survived by one daughter, Judith Anne Andrews and her husband Harold Ramsey of Guilford, CT; and a son, John Paul Vickers of Haddam, CT; three granddaughters, Elizabeth Freytag, Stephany Andrews, and Nicole Vickers; five great grandchildren, Chandler, Maximilian, Riley, Jacob and Austin. She is also survived by a nephew Roger A. Hentershee, a grand niece Kimberlee Faria, and great grand nieces Bethany and Hollyanne. Left behind also are a beloved niece and nephew, Michaelan Warren and Jeffrey Martin, children of her lifelong friend Pauline Martin, who predeceased her. Mrs. Vickers was the sister of Jean Hentershee and Robert Claycomb, who predeceased her.

Family members would like to thank the incomparable neighbors Kimberly and Ronald Moniz, Christine and Nicholas Fowler, Thomas and Lezlie Fowler, and Shana and Leilani Fowler, who watched over their friend Pauline and provided extensive assisted living services to her within her own home. Father Tom and son Nick were there to rescue Pauline at 1 a.m. from her burning house during a tragic fire that would have ended her life in 2013. Christine stood at her post the rest of the night to guard the remains of the house. Pauline treasured her friendship with her early neighbors Richard and Ruth Chester, who predeceased her.

The family expresses deep appreciation for her devoted caregivers Kathy Donegan, Robin, and Marilyn DelSesto, for their tireless work and unfailing patience and love; they were invaluable to their client and friend Pauline during the last nine years of her life.

Also, the family wishes to thank Pat Campion and Kudirat Adeboye, who watched over her and provided for her every need during her months at the Knights Inn in Seekonk, while her house was being rebuilt. Since her own mother had died, Kudi adopted Pauline as her mother and visited her every Sunday, the last being October 15.

In addition, family members are deeply grateful to the East Providence Police and Fire Department, including Sergeant Owen, who brought prompt and expert aid to Mrs. Vickers when she had fallen at her home.

Also, the family thanks the nurses and all staff at the Rhode Island Hospital Emergency Room and the Medical Intensive Care Unit, for the superlative and loving care they provided to Mrs. Vickers in her final days.

A Service of Thanksgiving and Tribute for Mrs. Vickers will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea, with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00PM. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Contributions in honor of Mrs. Vickers may be made to the Dominican Nuns, 11 Race Hill Road, Guilford, CT 06437 or to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, P.O. Box 250, Clarksburg, OH 43115.

The burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Swansea. For the full obituary, tributes or directions, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com