VIOLA PARKER

Parker, Viola, age 89, longtime resident of Placentia, California, but lately of Redlands, California, passed away on October 12th 2010. Vi was born on July 10th, 1921 in New York City. She showed her vitality at a young age with a miraculous recovery from a ruptured appendix. She went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Chemistry at a time when few women were able to pursue careers in science. During World War Two, she worked for the Pfizer Corporation and helped pioneer the development and mass production of penicillin. After the war and a brief reign as "Miss Orlando", she married Dr. Harry Stafford and raised three children, Dawn, Bonnie, and Jim, all of whom survive her. With her second husband, Ben Parker, she traveled the world through his job with Pan American Airlines. They later founded and operated Credit Bureau Services in Orange County. They also enjoyed several years of idyllic residence on the beautiful island of Kauai in Hawaii. An avid bridge player and staunch conservative Republican to the end, Vi's irrepressible spirit impressed all who knew her. In addition to her three children, she is survived by three step-children, Leah, Ben, and Tricia; eleven grandchildren; and one (soon to be two) great-grandchild. Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 22nd at Cortner Chapel, 221 Brookside Ave, Redlands, CA, 92373 (909) 793-2353.