On August 14, 2013, a beautiful, beloved soul departed this earthly realm in the most peaceful way you can imagine... in her sleep. Viola Esther Clark. This is Aunt Vi circa 1944 with her beloved Ralph who was Grandma Icel's brother. She is standing next to her best friend Icel Perkins. The other gentleman is a family friend.
I love how young and cute she is here. She is 2nd from the right. To her left is Icel. The little girl is my mother-in-law Barbara
She's 2nd from the left here. She was ALWAYS smiling. Grandma Icel is on the far right.
Here she is with her son Terry and her little angel Linda who passed from this life at the age of 2 from Scarlet Fever.
We visited her once when my son Lloyd was a toddler. He got into some sinus medicine in my purse. I was absolutely panicked. She calmly called the Poison Control Center. Then, per their instructions, she calmly drove me to a drug store where she bought syrup of Ipecac. We administered it then he threw up as he was supposed to. She said we needed to keep him awake for the next hour so we walked around her neighborhood. She talked about her loss of Linda but not in a sad and mournful way. It was part of life and she knew she would see her again.
Ralph and Vi stood proudly with their oldest son Terry and their two younger children, Michael and Jacque
It seems it was inevitable that Terry would be in the military some day...
They are such a beautiful couple
Grandma Icel and Aunt Vi were the best of friends for 81 years. Grandma is mourning the loss of her best friend in the entire world.
Here they are sharing memories with us all at Grandma Icel's 95th birthday party in 2012
Their children saw to it that they would be together 2 to 3 times a year
They enjoyed so many adventures together
The made a couple of trips to Hawaii
On this trip they got matching outfits
I think this is the Oregon Coast...it doesn't say anything on the back
boarding the Creole Queen in New Orleans
In Anchorage on a chartered fishing trip
Aunt Vi was such a character - always smiling - always laughing
...and the best story teller in the world. I could sit and listen to her talk all day long. I am so very thankful Ray and Esther and I visited her in July when we were on vacation. She made a chicken casserole and brownies for our dinner. We looked and her thimble collection and she talked about people who had given them to her and we laughed and shared a wonderful time. Here she is with my Esther:
...and she always kissed you... Usually right on the lips!!
I am going to miss receiving a homemade, handwritten (in beautiful calligraphy) Christmas card every year.
This is one she sent to Grandma Icel:
I will cherish this card she sent after we returned from our vacation
I still have a tiny little hand knitted, red and white stocking that was tucked inside her card one Christmas.
....and an adorable 4 piece outfit she made for my son's 1st birthday. A crocheted hat, shorts and two shirts. The shirts have buttons on the bottom and they button to the shorts. One shirt has a clown with balloons stitched on it. It is still in perfect condition. Lloyd just turned 36 and the outfit will soon fit his son
And the sweet little sweater set she crocheted when my Cora was born. It is still perfect too.
This is Aunt Vi with my 4 children in 1994
I am touched by how lovingly she always looked at and touched Uncle Ralph
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even after 50 years...
Happy trails to you Aunt Vi...
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I know you are hugging and kissing Uncle Ralph and Linda....right on the lips
