Violet M. Reid (nee Hutchinson)

February 2, 1929 – February 4, 2011

 

Violet passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 4, 2011 at the Herb Bassett Care Home.  Violet Reid passed from this world to be with her loved ones who had gone before her, at the age of 82.  She had a full life, and was a thoughtful, kind and generous woman, proud to live in Saskatchewan, and a very much loved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.    Violet was born on February 2, 1929 in the Royal district south of Prince Albert, to William and Mary Hutchinson, one of their six children, a child of the depression, raised in a farming environment.  Times were not easy, yet perhaps this instilled in her those virtues of hard work, resourcefulness, perseverance, and the do not complain attitude so typical of her generation.  By 1930 the family moved to the Wheatly district, north of Prince Albert again to a farm, and later in the 1950’s her parents settled in the Nesbit Heights area.  The war changed everyone’s life and the Hutchinson family lived in Ft. McLeod, Alberta, for a year on the base there.  At 16 years of age, Violet worked for a year at the aircraft plant in Ft. William, Ontario, a time she was proud of.  On November 15, 1946 she married Gordon Albert Reid of the Canwood/Alingly district, and this began 40 years of marriage, with seven children happy to call her Mom.  Violet and Gordon spent their first years of marriage at Nesbit Heights, with a year in Whitehorse, and then returned to Nesbit Heights in 1951, building a home there in 1957.  The family moved over the years and lived in Kamloops, BC in 1960 and Crane Valley, SK from 1962 to 1964 to be close to Violet’s family, and then settled in Prince Albert in 1965.  Service to and caring for others was a strong part of Violet’s character.  She worked as a nurse’s aide at Pineview Terrace and Victoria Hospital.  From 1966 on Violet took in boarders at the family home, and finally in 1968 opened Reid’s Care Home at 585 – 19^th Street East, operating it as a senior’s care home until 1990.  Caring for the elderly was her passion in life and her facility provided a good home for dozens over the years.  Her children learned many skills over the years, “helping out the old folks”.  In 1987 husband Gordon had passed, and Violet entered a new phase in her life.  In the big red brick house on the corner she opened the Victorian themed Teacups and Treasures, a gift shop and teahouse.  Her many interests began to blossom as well, collecting antique furniture, china, and collectibles and particularly house decorating in a Victorian theme.  She loved her old time fiddle music and her family dogs, took a lively interest in world affairs, politics, and was an avid supporter of her sports teams.  All her children and grandchildren will have cherished memories of her warm and loving home, full of good cooking and fun times, and everyone pitched in at the care home and tearoom.  Many gatherings and celebrations were held at 585, and they will always be dear in our hearts.  Mom, you always supported us through all our life’s experiences and challenges, and you were so good to your grandchildren.  Violet is survived by her loving children: Tim (Tamara) and their children son Michael (Angie) Rechenmacher and great grandchildren Camie, Emily and Coby and daughter Sarah; son Dale and his daughter MarieLynn, her mother Kathy Michel and great grandchildren Lorraine and Ally; daughter Joy Ogden, her children Candace, Christopher and Callaghan; son Tyler (Dawn Marie) and their children Melissa, Gordon and Alexander; son Calvin (Julie) and their children Andrea, Amanda, Amy, Lucas and Dexter; son Dalton; her brother Jim Hutchinson; sisters-in-law Phoebe Hutchinson and Myrtle Close.  She was predeceased by her husband Gordon in 1987; sadly her first-born son William Gordon Albert in 1973; her parents William in 1978 and Mary in 1979; sister Hazel Henderson in 1973; sister Irene Owens in 1977 and her daughter Wendy in 1970; brother William in 1999 and sister Evelyn Locke in 2003.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at St. Mark Roman Catholic Church, 589 – 9^th Street East, Prince Albert, SK with celebrant Reverend Father Travis Myrheim.  Interment will be held at Royal Cemetery, St. John’s Anglican Church, south of Prince Albert.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director.  Thank you Mom and Grandma for all you did for us over the years.  Goodnight, God Bless, as you used to say to the grandchildren.  We take comfort that you are with our brother Gordie, our dad Gordon, and your family.  You will live forever in our hearts.

• Date : 2011-02-04 06:00:00
• Location : Prince Albert, SK