VIOLET JESSIE MAY COTTON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

VIOLET JESSIE MAY COTTON On Saturday, November 26, 2005, Violet Jessie May Cotton of Swan River, MB (formerly of Kenville, MB) passed away at the age of 90 years, nine months, and 26 days at the Swan River Valley Health Centre. Vi was predeceased by her husband, Clarence Almon Cotton; her parents, Maude and Walter Coulthart; sisters Edythe and Phyllis; and brothers Walter and Willie. She leaves one daughter, Arlene (Rae) Nelson of Weslaco, Texas; two granddaughters, Shauna (Kevin) of Winnipeg, MB and Renee (James) of Fort Erie, ON; three great-grandchildren Taylor, Nicolas, and Ashley; four step-grandchildren, Trevor, Chris, Sheldon (Colleen), and Nicole; and four step-great-grandchildren, Sacha, Chloe, MacKenzie, and James. Also left to cherish her memory are her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wilford and Sheila Cotton, the extended Cotton family, and Violet's many special friends who were a source of great joy to her. Vi was born in Kenville on January 31, 1915, and was a lifelong resident of that community until August of 2003, when she left her farm to come to live in an apartment in Swan River. She received her education at the Kenville School, and then immediately began working in the Kenville General Store, owned and operated by her parents. Violet then wed her husband Clarence, and left the store to help him farm the Kenville land that was their home for 47 wonderful years together. In 1945, when Violet's parents retired, Violet and Clarence took over the operation of the Kenville store, where they worked side by side for 27 years. Clarence took care of the books and the business, and Violet took care of the people. During this time, Wilford and Sheila Cotton, who lived on the farm next to Clarence and Violet, took over the farming of their land. Later, Violet and Clarence's nephew, Neal Cotton, began farming their land and still does to the present day. In 1972, Violet and Clarence retired and sold the store in Kenville. For the next 13 years, they travelled and enjoyed having time to spend with each other, and with family and friends. They visited Hawaii once, then the Bahamas the next year. After that, they bought a trailer in Pine to Palm Retirement Park in Weslaco, TX, where they enjoyed eight wonderful winters together. Following her dear husband's death in 1985, Violet lived with her daughter, Arlene and son-in-law Rae, in Weslaco, TX in the winters and came back to her farm in the warmer months each year. Throughout her life, Violet was an avid curler, a devoted Christian who sang in the church choir, and a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, (having served in many chair positions both locally and provincially). She loved fishing and spending time at her cottage at Wellman Lake. Violet loved to bake, cook, and garden. She was adept at doing needlepoint and knitting afghans for family and friends. She loved to read and recite poetry, and often performed and danced for groups of people at any occasion. When she retired from the store, she really missed seeing and talking to all the children who would come into the store with their pennies to buy candy. She loved children and they loved her. It was her lively, generous and kind nature that drew people to her, and she was a bright light in so many lives. Violet had a very long and healthy life, enjoying every minute of every day, except for a few minor setbacks. In April of 2005, she was diagnosed with cancer, and faced it without a blink. She began cancer treatment in June, after some wonderful time spent with her daughter, granddaughters, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren, and remained well until she was admitted to the hospital on November 7, 2005. In the three weeks prior to her death (save for the last few days) she was alert and conversive, often joking and ever appreciative of the many visits and kindnesses of her friends, family, and homecare workers and the medical staff. This time shared together was a special gift, for which she and her family are so grateful. Violet Cotton was a person of great faith and vitality and we know her presence will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank all the doctors and nursing staff at the Swan Valley Health Centre who provided Violet with the very best of care during her final days. We would like to extend our special thanks to her doctor, Dr. Thain Muller, his family and his caring and efficient office staff, to Fred Chernoff and his PharmaSave staff for their excellent care and service, and to all Violet's homecare workers for their wonderful care and kindness.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2005