Violet Marie Eddy Gilbert, age 100, resident of Hume Township, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2013 at the house she was born in, while listening to a recording of her brother singing "Heaven's Gate".
She was born September 7, 1913 Hume Township to Charles and Edith (LeBrun) Eddy.
Violet enjoyed the beach, Detroit Tiger Baseball, music, national and state politics, and singing in the church choir. She was the pitcher on her youth softball team, and continued to remain active in her adult life, swimming a mile a day until she was 95.
Violet adapted well to the changes the world brought in the past 100 years, and enjoyed the challenge and convenience that came with it: from day to day travel in horse and buggy to vacation travel on international flights, from kerosene lamps to modern electricity, from the windmill pumping water to indoor plumbing, entertainment from radio to the digital television, through the Great Depression, prohibition, World War II, and subsequent volatile economic turmoil.
Violet supported the 'war effort' by taking a job at Packard's, and continued to fight for women's rights afterwards. At the age of 45 she went back to school, and earned a Masters of Library Science from Wayne State University, and taught in the East Detroit School System for over 20 years. Upon retirement, Violet purchased the family farm, and continued to spend much of her time on the beaches of Huron County, Hollywood Florida, and Mazatlan, Mexico.
Violet was proud of her English and Irish heritage; and traveled to England with her family a few times and to Ireland with her daughter and granddaughter at the age of 90. Violet was truly an amazing woman, who served as an inspiration to all who knew her.
She is survived by her son Larry Gilbert, her daughter, Marlene DeLuca, grandchildren Jolene, Diane, John and wife Karen, Amy DeLuca, Robert Ike, and great grandson, Ian DeLuca, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ernie, her parents, Charlie and May Eddy, her son, Don Gilbert, two brothers, Irvine and Arthur Eddy, and two sisters Alberta Nelson and Dorothy Taylor.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2013 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Bad Axe, with Rev. David Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will take place Sunday from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the MacAlpine Funeral Home, Bad Axe. Memorials can be offered to St. Paul Episcopal Church in Bad Axe.
Condolences may be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com