Violet Dorothy Lois (Steepe) Musker

Violet lived a long, happy, healthy life. She had a “spark”, and a “joie de vivre” that carried her unfettered through life’s changes. She moved gracefully from one phase of life to the next making a new home and new friends wherever she went.

The middle of three sisters, she grew up in Montreal, and worked for the CPR. She spent almost half of her life there, marrying Colin Musker, and giving birth to their son Brian.

She made a new home in her forties in Toronto, and lived there happily with Colin, Brian, and their dog, Max. Violet worked for Harlequin Romances doing bookkeeping and was amused by the reading benefits. A newly-built neighbourhood created a perfect breeding ground for many new friendships and excuses to host parties.

After retirement, she and Colin moved to Vineland, where they played golf and enjoyed many a Happy Hour with the Heritage Village crowd. They travelled to England and California, and “snow birded” in Florida and Portugal.

After Colin’s death, Violet made the most of her independence, and loved drives in her “little car”, participating in services at her Church, and volunteering with “Helping Hands”, knitting enough items for a village full of children. She found many an excuse for celebrations with her local group of widowed friends, aptly named “the Live Wires”.

At the ripe old age of 80, she became a grandmother, to Alex!

Violet harnessed the power of the Internet to reach out in search of romance, and found it, marrying Walter Mellor of Florida. She and “Lucky Walt” spent their time travelling and alternating their residences between Vineland and Vero Beach, until Walt’s death.

Violet moved to Newmarket for the last 8 years of her life, close to her son’s family. She made a new host of friends and played bridge, knitted, crocheted, and visited with her family. Not wanting to become part of the community of “old people with walkers”, she could be seen happily pole-walking down the halls of Amica.

Violet died in comfort after a very brief decline, but left with the same spark and humour that carried her through her through the rest of her life. She always liked to take people by surprise, and her departure was certainly in form.

She’ll be missed by her son Brian, his wife Hilary, and their daughter Alex. She leaves behind her sister Ethel, brother-in-law Gerald, niece Mary, and nephews Peter and Russell and their families. Our thanks go out to the care staff at Amica, the LHIN, Palliative team, and the staff at Southlake Hospital, all of whom helped to make her last two months better.

We’ll be celebrating her life at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 17th, at the Aurora Armoury, 89 Mosley Street (https://www.ncauroraarmoury.ca). If you are joining us, consider wearing something colourful. Donations can be made in her honour to any charity if desired.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Musker family.