Shirley Mae Fiske Viens passed away on June 11, 2025, at her home with her three sons by her side. Shirley was born on December 20, 1940, to Guy and Ellen Fiske. She grew up in Waterbury, Vermont, with her parents and sister Betty, and lived, to hear her tell it, an idyllic childhood. Shirley idolized her father and regarded him as a moral compass throughout her life. She would sometimes comment, when she disagreed with something someone had done, “must be they weren’t raised by Guy Fiske.” She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, particularly frequent visits to her mother’s family (the Dolans) who had a dairy farm in Eden, and time spent at Lake Eden over summer vacations.
Shirley was always a people person. She enjoyed striking up conversations with anyone, at any time, and enjoyed “people watching” wherever she went. Throughout her life she told stories about growing up in Waterbury and all the friends she made. She shared childhood memories of being raised on Moody Court, playing with neighborhood friends Bucky and Rachel Stanley (including accidentally setting a small barn on fire while smoking when she was 4-years-old), and visiting patients at the Waterbury State Hospital, regularly passing notes between the male and female patients. She enjoyed ice skating on a nearby pond, interacting with workers at the creamery across the street from their house, and berry picking in the summer.
While Shirley said she found school difficult, she was very bright and talented. She never forgot her favorite teacher, Mrs. Risley, who took special care to try to build her self-esteem and praise her in areas where she excelled. She was an excellent artist, and Mrs. Risley could see that. She was known for holiday decorating (including years of making decorations for Christmas bazaars) beautifully decorated birthday cakes, hand-painted greeting cards, and intricate Halloween costumes lovingly made for her children.
She also talked about her teenage years, going to the movies for only 10₵ a showing, playing basketball for the Waterbury High School girls’ team (where, according to her, her main role was to disorient her opponents by making odd faces, loud noises, and occasionally knocking off their glasses), and hanging out after school and on weekends at Donovan’s, a local Waterbury hangout that catered to the teenage set. She was a lifeguard at the Waterbury swimming pool, and always remembered saving the life of a young man who almost drowned at Lake Eden. Shirley enjoyed music and dancing, which eventually led to her meeting her future husband, Fred, at a local barn dance.
Shirley married Fred in 1960, and they welcomed their first son a year later. Within two years, they would have a second son and later moved to Waitsfield where they built a home on North Fayston Road. Their third son joined the family in 1970. At around the same time, Fred started the Fred Viens Excavating Corporation. Fred and Shirley operated the business together, Fred providing the talent and muscle and Shirley the brains and business savvy. Shirley served as the corporation’s president and managed the books and all aspects of billing for the almost 50 years they remained in business.
Together, they built a comfortable life and provided much love and support for their kids. Fond memories include driving around the state to antique car shows in the family’s 1929 Model A Ford pickup, Fred and Shirley in the front and three kids and their dog Shep in the back, and summertime trips to Lareau’s swim hole and Phyl-Den’s. Shirley was a fierce advocate for her children; and supported them in good times and bad. Like many mothers, you never wanted to say something negative about her sons when she was around. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a Sunday school teacher, and chaperone for school field trips, skiing, and dances. She provided wise guidance, even if not always followed (or appreciated at the time). She will be incredibly missed by her kids and grandkids.
She enjoyed gardening, baking, picking wild strawberries (one summer picking over 50 quarts of the tiny things), collecting antiques, following politics, and reading vintage diaries. She will be remembered in the Mad River Valley for her delicious apple pies and her remarkably beautiful cursive penmanship. She had a knack for design, and her artistic flair resulted in many years of beautiful Christmas decorations for the Waitsfield United Church of Christ and the Wait House. She was a longtime board member of the Waitsfield Historical Society, serving as hospitality chair and assistant archivist, and was a strong advocate for preserving Waitsfield’s (and Vermont’s) rural character. Over the years Shirley and Fred made close friends in The Valley, including Ray and Ilene Joslin, Mickie and Adrian Elwell, and Carol Beattie. Friends and family, including Dick and Nicolle Migneault, Bob and Betty Sweetser, and Armand and Brenda Viens, often socialized together for holidays and birthdays, family reunions, Warren Fourth of July parades, and trips to Quebec to visit relatives.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Guy and Ellen Fiske, her sister, Betty Sweeter (who is survived by her husband, Robert Sweetser), and her husband Fred, as well as Fred’s parents, Fernande Viens and Gregory Viens. Left to remember her are her loving sons, Guy Viens, Freddie Viens II, and Mathew Viens, as well as Mathew’s husband, Johnnie McLaughlin. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kaylie Viens and her fiancé, Daniel Beede, Erin Viens, and Eli Viens. Over the years Shirley, Fred, and their family shared their home with many devoted animal companions. Shirley leaves behind their beloved dog Bessie. Shirley also leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
Shirley’s family would like to thank her care providers at Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, Hands at Home, and Visiting Angels, as well as HomeShare Vermont, an organization that greatly contributed to Shirley’s ability to remain in her home for the final years of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Washington County Home Health and Hospice or the Mad River Valley Community Fund. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 1 p.m. at the Waitsfield United Church of Christ, 4355 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT, followed by a strawberry shortcake social, and burial at the North Fayston Cemetery.
