Vivian Cordeiro Perry

Vivian Cordeiro Perry, 95, of Pembroke, MA passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026, at her home.

Vivian was born in New Bedford, MA on July 28, 1930, the second daughter of Joao and Francelina Cordeiro. She graduated from Bristol Community College in Fall River in Library Science. Her career path included working in Dartmouth, Ma school libraries, eventually retiring in 2000 after 18 years as Librarian for the James Library in Norwell, MA.

Vivian then continued her love for books by spending her time volunteering at the Lydia Drake Library in Pembroke, MA. As an avid reader, herself, Vivian founded “The Bookworms” book club in 1996 which consisted of 16 close-knit original members and that expanded during the next 20+ years. She also had a passion for the arts and helped found the James Library Center for the Arts and was later a member of the Pembroke Cultural Council dedicating her time to providing art and culture in the community.

Vivian was the wife of the late Douglas Neil Perry for 60 years and the sister to the late Lillian Andrew of New Jersey. She leaves behind two daughters, Deborah Palmer of Sauquoit, NY and Rachel Steele of Kingston, MA, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, each a source of considerable pride.

Vivian asked that donations in her name be sent to the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where her father Joao Cordeiro’s Portuguese music compositions and poetry reside.

Memorial Gifts to the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives at UMass Dartmouth can be made by visiting umassd.edu/give and selecting the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives in the designation dropdown.

You may also mail checks made out to UMass Dartmouth to UMass Dartmouth University Advancement, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747, please include the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives In Memory of Vivian Cordeiro Perry on the memo line.