Lavinia "Vennie" Vita (Allen) Gouchie age 92 of Amherst, N.S. passed away at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Upper Nappan, N.S. on Monday, April 6, 2009. Born in Melrose, N.B., on November 16, 1916, she was a daughter of the late Lord William and Emma M. (Pauley) Allen. Lavinia was truly devoted to and loved all of her children and their families as well as her foster children whom she started taking into her home in 1968 and Michael who came in 1970 and is still at home. The greatest gift she had was always opening her heart and home to all. Lavinia treated everyone the same with tender loving care. She enjoyed playing darts and cards and enjoyed dancing, knitting, quilting and cooking as well as taking car trips to different areas. Her love and devotion showed her unselfish commitment even at 92 years of age. Lavinia was the last surviving member of her immediate family and Daniel's family. Vennie is survived by sons Richard (Diane) of Brancroft, ON, Ollie (Ellen), Terry (Joan), Art (Sheila), Carl (Anne) all of the Amherst area and Norman at home, Roger (Patsy) of Woodpoint, N.B., two foster sons Michael at home and Murray Arsenault of Shubenacadie, N.S., daughters Doris Jackson (Bob) and Edna Fillmore Gouchie (Hanson) both of Amherst and Nancy Perry (Carman) of Moncton, N.B. and Patricia Gouchie (Bill) of Digby, N.S., her dear and close friends Helen Lawless of Fenwick and Joyce Gouchie of Amherst, 48 grandchildren, 79 great and great great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Daniel William, infant daughter Linda, sisters Annie Allen and Rebecca "Beckie" Allen Atkinson and half brother Burton (Bertie) Estabrooks. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. from Campbell's Funeral Home, 98 Church St., Amherst (667-9906) with parish prayers at 8 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. from Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Amherst with Father Vernon Driscoll officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in the St. Charles-Nativity Cemetery, Amherst. Donations in Lavinia's memory may be made to the charity of your choice. www.campbells-amherst.ca