Violet F. Simon

Violet Susan (Freeman) Simon, age 105, entered into eternal life on February 4, 2012 at home with her family at her side. Violet was born on May 13, 1906 in East Hartford, the daughter of Cassius Freeman and Denise (Dube) Freeman. Violet was one of ten children who grew up on her family tobacco farm. She graduated East Hartford High School and then she married Ernest Simon and worked in Production Engineering at Pratt & Whitney for 18 years while raising her family. After her retirement, she worked as a manager of H&R Block in East Hartford. She graduated Manchester Community College at age 69. After graduation, she researched her family genealogy, and raised grandchildren for many years. She traveled throughout the United States and the world, visiting 12 countries and Alaska; but one of her favorite places on earth was her cottage on the coast of New Harbor, ME. Violet truly was an inspiration to all who were privileged to know her. She was devoted to her family and spent her entire life helping others. She was intelligent and wise, always there to offer support and guidance. She was a living example that hard work, honesty, faith, education, and family are the most important things in life. She was a member of Saint Christopher's parish, Independent Order of OddFellows Rebekah Lodge, National Society Colonial Dames, The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Martha Pitkin Wolcott Chapter, Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor, and the National Society Americans of Royal Descent. She was very proud of her royal lineage. She was predeceased by her husband Ernest Simon, her daughter Irene (Simon) Annis and great-granddaughter Cecelia Wotton. She is survived by her son, Walter Simon and his wife, Nancy Haugh of Manchester, CT; her daughter, Lorraine Watkins and her husband, Gordon Watkins, Sr. of Marlborough, CT; her grand-children, Coralie George of Manchester, CT, Kimberly Skehan and her husband Bruce of Newington, CT, Lesley Wotton and her husband Larry of Whitefield, NH, Gordon Watkins, Jr. of Coventry, CT, Roy Watkins and his wife Patricia of Marlborough, CT, Jeff Watkins and his wife Heather of Broad Brook, CT, Marie (Nisa) Callahan and her husband Tom of Meriden, CT, Michelle (Babe) Hartley and her husband James of Ocala, FL, Walter (Guy) Simon, Jr. of Bolton, CT, Willie and Glynis Simon of Falls Village, CT. She leaves 25 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren whom she loved very, very much. She also leaves her dear friend, Judy Golka of East Hartford. The family would like to thank Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice and A Caring Hand, especially her caregivers Doris and Agatha for their support and care over the past two years. They helped to keep Violet home, where she wanted to be, where she lived on her own terms, until the end of her life.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, (February 8, 2012) at 9 a.m. at the Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer St., East Hartford. Burial will follow in Hockanum Cemetery, East Hartford. Visitation hours will be held Tuesday, (February 7, 2012) from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. For directions, to share a memory with the family, or to order flowers, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com