Violet A. Hendershot

Violet A. Hendershot (nee Altenbach), age 95, passed away Dec. 25 at Westerwood Senior Living in Westerville. Violet was born Aug. 11, 1930, in Columbus, Ohio. She is preceded in death by husband Paul Hendershot, parents Bernard (“Pete”) and Emelia (nee Bauer) Altenbach, infant twin brother Paul Altenbach, and brother Bernard Altenbach. She is survived by daughter Karen (Mark) Stedfeld, son Paul Hendershot, daughter Peggy Hendershot, son Mark Hendershot (Kathy) and grandchildren Haley (Sean) Malone and Jacob Hendershot. Violet was the granddaughter of German immigrants and grew up in German Village. She attended St. Mary School and then South High School where she played violin in the orchestra and graduated in 1948. Violet met her future husband, Paul, on a blind date on New Year’s Eve that year. They were married in May 1950 and spent 69 years together until his death in 2019. It is no exaggeration to say Violet was a truly selfless person who spent her entire life helping and caring for those around her. She would sometimes smile and say God put her on earth to “take care of babies and old people,” but in fact, she opened her heart to everyone. Whether preparing a meal for a crowd, checking on a sick friend or volunteering at church, it was apparent her life was fulfilled by providing support and service to others. She was a past member of the PTA, leader of both the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts and long-time nursery director at Karl Road Baptist Church. In her later years she was an attending member of Linworth Baptist Church in Worthington. Violet retired from Riverside Methodist Hospital in 1994 and began a second career as a full-time grandmother—babysitting, baking cookies and stitching Halloween costumes and holiday outfits. She also resumed her love for painting and joined the Worthington Area Art League and the Central Ohio Watercolor Society. To friends and family Violet was a loving and indispensable caretaker, comforter, cheerleader, chef and counselor. Her gentle kindness, enduring patience, ceaseless optimism and devout faith were truly inspirational and profoundly enriched the lives of all who knew her. Friends may call…

Visitation will be held on January 2, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services by Schoedinger b, located at 5554 Karl Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43229.

The funeral service will follow on January 2, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the same location.

A graveside committal will take place on January 2, 2026, at Northwood Cemetery, located in Cambridge, Ohio, 43725.