Violet E. Connors Obituary (1945

June 23, 1945. Violet, the first Connors girl was born. Who could have known how MANY Connors girls were still to come? As the first, Vi led the way for all of us. She loved her family above all and in a no nonsense way guided the entire clan of Connors girls as each of us tried to figure out how to make our own mark in the world. We shared many wonderful times together. Like when Vi shuttled all eight of us out the front door at the same time on a Saturday afternoon so we could pose for a "surprise" family picture for Mom and Dad's anniversary. I think Mom and Dad never even noticed! We were no doubt a very close and truly blessed and happy family. Vi loved being a part of it. She loved God and the beach and Bobby Vinton songs and late night TV with Johnny Carson. She was shy and smart and was a bit of a loner in the midst of a large family in a small rowhouse in Kensington. She made it work. A heavy radiator fell on her somehow when she was a very little girl in the Post Office with Mom. Mom singlehandedly lifted that heavy radiator off of her and Vi was badly hurt. We heard that at some point in that scary day Vi's heart stopped briefly, but she hung on and her heart started up again, and after that day for her whole life Vi's feet were two different sizes--a lifelong challenge that she met head on and never complained about. Vi was loving and very talented. Music was a big part of who she was. Vi learned from Sister Rose DeLourdes how to play the piano when she was a young girl. Later, she gave us piano lessons at home on Saturday afternoons and rewarded us with a sticker each week when we played for her the song that we had practiced all week. She played the violin in the Little Flower orchestra when she was in high school and played the organ in Church while growing up and all through her life. Vi was gentle and kind and everyone loved her. But she cracked the whip when she led our "practice" sessions each year, so we would all be ready to stand at the organ and sing Christmas carols and songs on Christmas Eve while she played. She typed up and printed out and assembled song booklets each year so everyone could sing together on Christmas Eve and no one had any excuse NOT to sing because she had just put all the words right in front of them! Nana loved it when we sang Christmas in Killarney. This is one of our warmest memories of Vi, and we still miss getting together and singing while Vi played the organ on Christmas Eve. I've never known another family who did that, I guess because they didn't have Vi. In more recent years, whenever a family member passed on, Vi sprang into action preparing a Mass booklet, choosing the hymns she knew they loved, and playing the organ at Mass as her special way of seeing them off with her beautiful music . We all were concerned as Vi dealt with some serious health problems over the last few years. She never complained and she was strong and she fought hard. But the day we dreaded came last week. Vi left this world in the same quiet and unassuming way that she lived her life. She was never loud, she didn't argue, and she never wanted to be the center of attention. Vi loved everyone, and everyone loved Vi. We miss her already, but we celebrate today that Vi is no longer in pain and that she reached the end of her journey in the dignified and unique and beautiful way that she lived her life. Thank you for always looking out for your little sisters, Vi. Now it's time for you to rest. Violet is survived by her loving sisters, Frances Micaletti (the late Emanuel), Dolores P. Matthews, Patricia A. Kopec (John Sr. ), Rita R. McKee (Patrick) the late Shirley E. Servis (the late William), the late Maureen D. Wise and the late Kathleen M. Connors; also survived by 16 nieces, nephews and 20 great nieces and nephews. Relatives and Friends are invited to attend her Viewing and Funeral Monday, August 17, 2020 9:15-10:15 AM at St. Matthew Church (Upper) 3000 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia PA 19149 followed by her Funeral Mass 10:30 AM. Rite of Committal Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Violet's memory to the above name church would be appreciated