Violet Watton

My sincere condolences to the Allen Family.

She was a beautiful and kind lady she had touched so many people in a special way. Her memories will always be cherished.

Thanks for being a blessing to me. You introduced me to Jesus. Always in my heart love Janie.

Vi, so many memories with you. It was a blessing to have had you in our lives since we were young. Rest in peace as you are truly are an angel.

My sincere condolences, Mike, on the passing of your mother. It’s hard losing a parent.

I have so many memories of the perfect neighbour, so kind, always a smile. Sincere condolences to her families and friends.

So many fond memories growing up next to this lovely lady. Always a smile and friendly chat over backyard fence. Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Violent and her family were our neighbours on Langarth St for about 65 years. Our relationships were solid and respectful (well except that time that Fritz cut down your tree while you were away but that’s not a bad record for over 60 years).

Violet lived almost her entire life in the same spot on Langarth St. Grandpa Cooper built a house for Violet and Bob Steele between our house and his. He loved having all his grandkids stop in daily – the piano being played and sending us (we considered ourselves to be honorary grandkids) to the corner store to get his airplane tobacco. Grandpa Cooper rescued me from the apple tree in Violet’s back yard one time – that’s a story for another time.

Violet remembered with a great laugh the day our family moved into our home in 1951. She watched out the front window and thought to herself what the heck is this moving in…She described it as a clown car pulling up… the people just kept pouring out – 1 parent, another parent with a baby and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 kids. Well, she thought, there will be one for each of our kids to play with. This was true but we weren’t done yet as both families continued to grow. We moved in with 6 kids and 5 more were born there. Violet finished her family in 1963 and we remained neighbours until 2016 long after all the kids were grown and moved away.

Violet’s first love and commitment was to provide a loving home for her family. There was a parade of characters that visited her home. Who could forget Auntie Ethel making a tea bag stretch into 10 cups of tea, Grandpa Cooper of course, Kay and Alan Shepperd to name a few.

After Bob died, Violet was the first women I knew that had a job outside of the house. She worked many many years at Parnell Foods. I have no idea what her position was there but I was so amazed that a woman could raise a family and have a job. She was an anomaly in those days and I looked up to her for her independence and determination to just do what she had to do. It could not have been easy and I can’t imagine how tired she must have been for so many years!

Our families witnessed and quietly supported each other through losses. When Sharon was killed in an accident I’m sure many dark and difficult days followed but as kids we saw only that she carried on. It was evident only decades later when our family suffered the loss of a son/brother that Violet’s pain around Sharon’s death had never left her. The meeting of my mother and Violet at the funeral home was one of two women who shared a loss that only they could fully understand.

From the depths of grief to happy celebrations of family weddings shared by the age appropriate members of the other’s family. When my brother John and Frances got married, Vi’s invitation got lost before she saw it. The night before the wedding John went next door to ask if she was coming and she said she hadn’t been invited and wondered if she’d done something to offend. Well she did attend and had a few drinks. She joined the band on stage and gave a roaring rendition of “you are my sunshine” that she never lived down.

Violet taught me to look at people from beyond my own limited perspective. When Tom and Violet got together, it was another moment for me of “hmmm, Violet is also a person – not just the Mom next door” … and she found happiness and companionship with Tom.

She was a kind and loving person who took the time to offer comfort and a chat when the opportunity arose. I spent a lot of time in the Steele’s home and I remember one time I fell down the basement stairs. Violet rushed down to pick me up and held me until the crying stopped and honestly, I might have milked that for a little longer than needed. It truly is these little things that people remember about you that honour the type of person you are.

There were many hours of over the fence backyard chats throughout the years, catching up on what the kids and grandkids were up to. She never pretended to be happy with all the choices of the large clan she headed, but there was always love, kindness and pride in her telling of updates and faith that all would work out.

Mike, Randy, Diane, Holly and Robin… I thank you on behalf of all the Van Den Akkers for sharing your Mom with us. We all have stories that are warm memories of growing up together. I’m sure those that have gone before us are sharing a few good laughs and maybe a good cup of tea.