Violet May Roskelley

On July 27, 2012, at the stroke of midnight, Great Britain lost one of her most endearing patriots, Violet May Roskelley. Vi, as she was known to her friends and family, and the "English lady" by thousands of others, was in actuality the real Mary Poppins; proper, punctual, and prim, seasoned with that well-established British wit and charm.

Vi was born in Bradford, England on October 7, 1921 to Wilfred and May Shipman. In 1943, she was drafted into the British ATS and stationed in Cornwall. It was during this chaotic time of German V-rockets and daily bombings that Vi met a young, "good-looking" American soldier, Master Sergeant Fenton Roskelley, who everyone called "Ross". The two were married during their leaves on March 23, 1945, in a small church in Wibsey, England. As the vows were read and the Pastor asked her if she would take Fenton for her husband, Vi balked. Who is Fenton? She thought she was marrying "Ross" Kelley and didn't know Ross was a nickname.

Fenton returned home with his unit after the war and Vi came to America over the Atlantic with hundreds of other British war brides on the H.M.S Huddleston in April 1946. Fenton and Vi settled in Spokane and raised three children; Patricia, John and Heather. Vi was well known for sending a Hallmark card on every occasion to her loved ones and thank you letters to everyone, even if they just stopped by the house to say hello.

Vi became known as the "Hallmark" lady at the Shadle Park Hallmark store where she worked for years. With her three kids raised and on their own, Vi became a realtor at the age of 55 and committed herself to the task of finding the perfect home for her clients. But her heart and soul was with raising and praising her children, and she did this with the greatest of love throughout her 90 years.

Vi loved all things British; walks on the beach at Oceanside; afternoon tea at the Empress in Victoria; her poodle, Gigi; her good friend, Caroline; all living things; giving compliments; the view from her home on Heroy; her flowers; taking pictures; walking quickly; singing Eddy and Jeanette McDonald songs; writing Her Majesty the Queen of England - and receiving personal replies; talking about her kids; driving her Subaru to Seattle and Tacoma; visiting her grandkids; meeting people from all walks of life and, above all, chocolate.

Vi is survived by her adoring husband of 67 years, Fenton (Ross); three children, Patricia Loomis (husband, Bob), John (wife, Joyce) and Heather Roskelley. She is also survived by six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. As she was given last rites the day she passed away, a visiting priest said to her that God would now have a new violet in his garden. Surely this is the case and it will be a beautiful one at that.

We want to thank the Bridge at Post Falls and their amazing staff, as well as the emergency staff and hospital staff at Kootenai Medical Center. If you so choose to honor Vi, please send a remembrance to her favorite non-profit, KSPS TV, 3911 S. Regal, Spokane, WA 99223. A memorial service celebrating Violet's life will be held at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home on August 10 at 10 AM.

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