Our wonderful Mother, Grandmother and beloved friend of so many, Violet Blair {nee Staniland} passed away peacefully at Vancouver General Hospital Sunday, February 21, 2010, at the amazing age of 104. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 51 years Joseph Blair and her cherished daughter Doreen Mae {Ripplinger}; Brothers Bill {Olive} and Charlie {Martha} Staniland and recently in 2009 by her husband Joe's two sisters, Janet 'Jessie' Blair and Barbara Walker of Hamilton who were such a significant part of her long life. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her son John Edward of Ottawa; Grandsons Blair Edward Ripplinger of Los Angeles,  John Ross {Heather} Ripplinger of Montreal, Granddaughter Janet Michele Ripplinger of Los Angeles and Great Grandchildren Natasha Lea, Michael Blair and Siara Blair; Son-in-Law Michael Ripplinger {wife Doreen} of Richmond, B.C.;  Niece Joy Rempel, nee Staniland,   {Peter and daughter Elizabeth} of Chilliwack, B.C.,  Daryl Drewitz, nee Staniland, (deceased Paul} and family of Fremont, California;  Nephews David {Barbara} Blair of Bolton, Ontario; Ross {Donna} Blair of Hamilton, Ontario;  Niece Frances {Wayne} Roberts {nee Blair} of Hamilton,Ontario and the 'Blair Clan' great nephews and nieces far and wide. Violets extended family who were so near and dear to her was vast and extraordinary.  Special recognition is given to a long and loving friendship with Loree and Michael Foster of North Vancouver and their devoted family; David, Deborah and Wendy Foster; Karin and Gavin Chalmers {sons Connor & Callum}; Lorne and Heather Loiselle {daughters Samantha and Melissa} who all involved Violet in their very busy lives and all their family celebrations which she loved so much. She was adored by her many good friends and her devotion to family and friendships was exemplary. Violet enriched so many lives and touched everyone she met with her compassion and wisdom, her thoughtfulness and caring and her generosity of spirit. She lived life to the fullest. Violet was born in Nottingham, England {near Sherwood Forest - the birthplace of Robin Hood and Maid Marion} and immigrated to Canada as a young girl in 1911 with her parents Gertrude and Edward Staniland. The family lived in Winnipeg for a number of years where she met her sweetheart and beloved Joseph who had also immigrated as a young boy from Lanark, Scotland with his family in the early part of the 1900's. Violet was young and beautiful and this inner and outer beauty spanned more than a century. Violet was an accomplished pianist and she and Joe met in Eaton's Winnipeg music department, both in their mid-twenties, and thus began a romantic and adventurous journey with the 'Eaton's Family' from Coast to Coast which lasted more than a quarter century.  Joe's Management Career with Eatons took Vi and Joe across the Prairie Provinces,  first to Calgary where daughter Doreen and son John were born, then again with Eaton's a move to Saskatoon and a few years later to Moose Jaw where they retired in 1963. Violet and Joe relocated to Vancouver shortly after to 'escape' the long prairie winters but specifically to be close to their devoted family - daughter Doreen and son-in-law Michael Ripplinger and their three adoring grandchildren. This move also gave son John the 'raison d’être’ to make frequent trips from Ottawa to the West Coast over many years to be with all the family and always a time for joyous family celebrations shared with their many close friends. Violet was an excellent homemaker and hostess and she and Joe loved to entertain and there were always 'socials' through their busy lives. The Blair's lived for many years at Park Royal Towers in West Vancouver enjoying beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean close by and the lush green park-lands at Ambleside. Joe and Vi had a busy and exciting retirement, always active and exploring new sights and vistas. They travelled bi-annually across the country visiting the many family and friends on the Prairies, John in Ottawa and all the Blair Clan in and around Hamilton.  The sudden loss of her dear husband Joe and beloved daughter Doreen, both in 1982, was such a traumatic shock for all the family but Violet’s strength prevailed and kept us all together. She had venerable courage, wisdom and compassion to help guide us through life's challenges, right up to the end of her very long life.  Violet subsequently moved from West Van to 'Oakridge House' near Cambie in 1986 and was so happy and content in her new apartment, again with a stunning view to the North-Shore Mountains and lived there 'independently' for over twenty-four years until her passing. Again she developed so many close and endearing friendships and became active in all the 'social activities’, volunteering and event planning and participating and sharing with others. Violet was a dedicated reader and always up-to-date with what is and was going on in the world. She also played a mean game of 'bridge' in which she excelled and was the 'partner of choice' in any foursome and she continued to play an excellent bridge game well into her 102nd year.  She continued regular cross-country adventures and travels to Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton to visit all the family and to California to be with her Granddaughter Janet and Grandson Blair and their many friends.

We have lost a very 'Sweet Violet' who will live on forever in our hearts. She graced all of our lives - family and friends - and we cherish our time together with this very special lady. Violet affected the lives of all she met and she will be sorely missed by all her friends and family who revered her. She was the most perfect Mother and Grandmother and she was truly blessed with a largess of family and friends who adored her. A family memorial service was held Friday, February 26, 2010, and will be followed by a 'Celebration of Life' this summer.  In lieu of flowers and in honour of her daughter Doreen, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be most appreciated.