Violet Marion Waters

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Violet M. Cleveland Waters of Edgartown died peacefully with family at her side on Friday, July 18, after a long and hard-fought battle from suffering from two major strokes 13 years ago.  

Violet had such an amazing will and enjoyment of life that she did not let that slow her down. Violet was 85.

Violet was born on September 22, 1928. She was the beloved daughter of the late Herbert (Pat) Cleveland and Jane (Jackson) Cleveland. She was born and raised in West Chop. She graduated from the Vineyard Haven High School and went on to marry Charles F. Waters Jr. from Edgartown. They had seven children and lived all over the country while Charles was in the military.

After Charles retired, they moved their family back to the Vineyard to raise them. Shortly after settling back on the Vineyard, Violet and Charles parted ways. Violet was a single mom who worked hard and never slowed down. She was a crossing guard and worked at the West Chop Beach Club.

Violet was best known for her long career at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, where she worked in the house-keeping department for over 20 years. She enjoyed time with her co-workers and enjoyed making the patients laugh. She was an active member of the American Legion and the Pocahontas Club, also known as the Pokies.

Violet later built a house in Edgartown with her partner, Peter Starke, who died in 2003. Violet enjoyed her garden, home, and family. Violet had amazing luck: there was very rarely a game of bingo or a raffle that she entered but did not win. She had the largest collection of blue glass and Beanie anyone has seen and loved to continue to watch it grow. Violet was always very proud to show off the latest addition to her collections.

Violet had an amazing memory, and although her body was failing, she could tell you everything thing that was going on around her and the latest news in the family.

Violet was predeceased by her parents, her beloved son, Charles F. Waters III and her treasured grandson, Joseph Kelly. Violet is survived by her sister, Doris Cleveland of Vineyard Haven; her daughters Jane Koelsch and her husband, Chet, of Middletown, Conn., Violet M. Weinstein of Florida, Darlene Kelly of Edgartown, Judy Sylvia and her husband, Raymond, of Oak Bluffs, and Patty Bernier and her husband, Jim, of Dartmouth. Also by her son, Michael A. Waters, and his wife, Ashley, of Edgartown as well as 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on Wednesday, July 23, at 2 pm in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriers Project in honor of Violet’s son Charles or to the Windemere Patient Activities Fund, PO Box 1747, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

The Family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to the loving staff at Windemere for taking such good care of Violet for the last 10 years and to the acute care nurses and Hope Hospice. Arrangements are under the care of Chapman, Cole, & Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.