Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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How does one say “goodbye” without getting to say goodbye? I always thought I’d get to see her one more time.
When Ryan and I became Violet’s neighbours thirteen years ago, she gave us the warmest welcome and told us “if there’s anything you need…” and there truly were times I needed her. The times I had young babies at home and I needed to get out of the house and have a grown up conversation, I could always catch her in her yard for a chat while the kids played in the grass. The times she gave me gardening advice. The times she shared with me her lifetime’s knowledge of North Street history and showed me the black and white photos of her as a child living in the house I now own. The times she’d pop over with something she thought the kids would like. The times I’d be leaving for a walk with the dog and she’d come out to the sidewalk to give Wembley a pat. The times she’d invite the kids over to putter about in her garden or pick the dandelions in her lawn, then reward their efforts with a pudding cup and send them home happy… Things I didn’t always know I needed but that she provided nonetheless. She was like a grandmother to our family but also a very dear friend. I can only hope that somehow, somewhere along the way, we got to return the favour.
Our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Violet.
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