Viola Elizabeth Weber

1924 - 2019

Viola Elizabeth Weber

Montrose - Viola Elizabeth Weber died peacefully on April 12, 2019 at the New York State Veterans Home in Montrose, New York having celebrated her 95th birthday with family on April 10th. Viola was born on Thursday, April 10th, 1924, a warm Spring day, at Bellevue Hospital in New York City to Elizabeth and Ernest Erickson who had both emigrated from Sweden, met at Coney Island and later married in NYC in 1918.

Viola was Baptized at the Church of the Incarnation on Madison Avenue on May 25th, 1924. She often told wonderful stories of her adventures with her three brothers, Leonard, George, and Robert, growing up in the open spaces of Clason Point in the Bronx. There they swam and sailed in their hand built boat "The Flicka" on the Sound. She graduated from PS 107 in the Bronx in June 1937 and went on to James Monroe High School, also in the Bronx, where her Senior year book attests to dozens of dear friends. An Honors student, she graduated from Monroe in June of 1941. Though encouraged by her Principal and teachers to pursue her interest in studying Nursing, she decided instead to head out to the working world right away to help support her family.

Viola met the "love of her life" Ken Weber when they were both in a church Christmas pageant in her 8th grade year. She was the Angel Gabriel, and he was one of the Wise Men, and the seeds of a great union were planted. Their relationship and love grew and in an act of great courage, hope and love they married at St. Andrews Church in the Bronx on October 15th, 1944, when Ken was home on a brief furlough from the Air Force. While the world was ablaze with war they were confident "good" would triumph over "evil", and they were right.

Viola loved life, her family and giving to others. There was always room for more around the family table. Friends and relatives from near and far were regularly welcomed by her warm hospitality for brief or extended visits. Though busy maintaining a bustling home with two spirited youngsters Viola returned to her earlier profession of bookkeeping and accounting as her children grew older. She maintained a beautiful home, constantly working to keep the family going, sewing their clothes, baking breads and sweets, canning fresh jams, planning summer camping adventures, and supporting both of her children in their academic and artistic pursuits. With Ken's love and her strength and faith everything was possible. She was the center of a loving successful family in every sense.

Viola shared a deep spiritual faith with Ken, and they were active parishioners at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Pearl River, NY. Viola served on the Vestry, Altar Guild and Liturgy Committee for many years. She was also a leader of the Girls Friendly Society. Both were also very active at All Saints Cathedral Albany, NY and in recent years the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Chappaqua, NY.

Viola is survived by her two children, Dr. Thomas K. Weber and Jeannie Weber Aplin and their spouses Clare and David, five grandchildren, Maeve, Annalie, Thea, Luke and Nicholas, and Maeve's husband James Reddicliffe. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and even great-grandnieces and nephews, as well as friends like family that she always held dear.

In her final years after her beloved Ken passed on August 30, 2012, Viola lived a gentle life that touched all she encountered. Her loving kindness and good cheer, quick wit, grateful heart and deep Faith were abiding qualities that will always be remembered.

A Service in Celebration of the Life of Viola Weber will be held Saturday, May 11th, 11 AM at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 191 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua, NY 10514. Viola always loved cheerful Spring colors. Please feel free to wear bright colors in celebration of her life. Reception to follow the service at the St. Mary's Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Music & Worship Fund of The Church of St. Mary the Virgin or the Colon Cancer Foundation (www.colonccancerfoundation.org) would be greatly appreciated. Viola was a many year colon cancer survivor.