Viola M. White Basek

Mrs. Basek attended State Street Baptist Church for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed working at a floral shop in East St. Louis, Illinois, and in later years worked at Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona, from 1976 to 1989 in the cafeteria as an assistant manager. She loved to go bowling and enjoyed traveling. Viola and son-in-law, Dave, had season tickets to Arizona Cardinals football for the 1997-98 season, but she always insisted on leaving the game during the 3rd quarter! She was a loving mother and grandmother; who adored her family and will be affectionately and forever known as Mom, Gram, and Sister.

She was proceded in death by her husband, Rudy Basek; her parents, David and Florence White; and two sisters, Goldie Hornacek and Shirley Healey.

She is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Dave) Smithwick, of Glendale, Arizona and Diane (Chris Lynch) Kenyon, of Sun City, Arizona; her grandchildren, Jake (Mallorie) Smithwick, Ted (Samantha) Smithwick, Molly (Jason) Smithwick-Cheney, and Ben Smithwick; a great grandson, Luke; her sister, Doris (Joe) Haverman of Smithton, IL., and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials are appreciated to Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, www.seasons.org; 2020 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, at the funeral home, with Rev. Charles West officiating. Interment will be held in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

A Loving Tribute To My Mother, Viola Basek

I am so Glad That I was able to move in with you and take care of you for the last seven years. I am so glad we had that time together and that I was able to do everything for you that you needed done.

Thank you to my wonderful Chris for always being there to help us.

You were a very loving and wonderful mother.

I will miss and love you forever,

Your Loving Daughter,

Diane Kenyon

Remembering Viola Basek

Viola appreciated Jake’s gentle spirit even as a youngster as her first grandson. Ted and Gram enjoyed debating, whether it be about the weather, or football, or baseball. Viola loved to make curls in Molly’s hair when she was little, and when Molly was born Viola laundered one of Cindy’s gowns, wrapped it in tissue paper and placed the fresh and tidy garment into a beautiful gift-wrap box for Cindy. Ben, on going to visit Gram, frequently cut fragrant roses and green ferns from the yard, and presented them in a lovely vase to his Gram, who always rewarded him with love and kisses. Ben had a loving and caring spirit for Gram (and actually for everyone he meets).

Viola and son-in-law Dave had season tickets to the Arizona Cardinals football team for the 1997-98 season, but she always insisted on leaving the game during the 3rd quarter!

Jake and Ted and Molly often spent the night at Gram’s home on Osborn Road which resulted in too much food, too little sleep, and memories for a lifetime. Gram and the kids also traveled to California, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Viola loved buttermilk and crackers. Cindy and Dave would often bring this tasty treat to her when visiting her in Sun City, AZ. Diane often took Viola out for a drive to have her fingernails manicured, which she also loved immensely. Just last week Viola told Cindy upon leaving, “Behave now!”, and also proclaimed one of her standard ‘Be Careful’ admonitions.

Over the years Cindy has saved many answering machine messages from her Mom, and what a joy it is today to hear Viola’s voice. And anyone who heard Viola sing knew she was gifted by God to sing like a bird. “I’ll be with you in apple blossom time...” All of us heard Viola sing that line a million times.

Rest in peace, Viola Basek, also affectionately

and forever known as Sister, Mom, Gram.