Obituary: Vivian A. (Schmelzer) Dupuis - Class of 1936

NORTH ADAMS, MASS. - Vivian A. (Schmelzer) Dupuis, age 88, of North Adams, Mass., died Friday, Aug. 25, 2006. She was born in Madison, on June 11, 1918, she was the oldest of eight daughter of Frederick and Anna (Holzbauer) Schmelzer. She graduated from Central High School in 1936. She was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943-1945 as a pharmacist's mate. She met her future husband, who was also in the Coast Guard in New York City. They married Jan. 29, 1944, at St. Joseph's Church in New York. Following her honorable discharge they moved to North Adams, Mass., where her husband had grown up. Mrs. Dupuis graduated from the former North Adams State College in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in education. She taught in local schools in North Adams and Adams, Mass., until retiring 20 years ago. She was a member and longtime choir director of Notre Dame Church in North Adams. She was a member of Court Margaret of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. In her retirement she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, crafts and visiting with grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, P. Homer Dupuis in 1994; and brothers, Thomas Schmelzer (Virginia), Donald Schemlzer (M. J.), David Schmelzer (Mary) and Duane (Johanna Schmelzer). Also preceding her in death were sisters, Rosemary Dosher and Beatrice (Warren) Bull. Survivors include her brother, William (Nancy) Schmelzer; her children, Anne (Michael) Doran of Monona and their children Neal, Casey and Meghan (Mark) Gonzalez; her son, Peter Dupuis and his children, Danielle and Erin, and her son, Paul (Diane) Dupuis and their children Matt and Nicole. She is further survived by a great-granddaughter, Emma Nicole Dupuis. She also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, many in the Madison area. Mrs. Dupuis' funeral was held Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, North Adams, Mass., all of her grandchildren served as pallbearers. Memorial donations may be made to any Alzheimer's Association or particularly to the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk Team from Sweet Brook Care Center through the funeral home, Auge-San soucie-Simmons Funeral Home, 46 North Church St., North Adams, Ma. 01247.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 6, 2006