Violet May Marquis

Violet Fitts Marquis returned home to her parents on November 20, 2017, after living bravely, gracefully, and tenaciously with gastric cancer for eight months.  She was born on traditional Memorial Day, May 30, 1938 to Robert and Alice (Chapel) Fitts.  At the age of 17 years old, she married the love of her life, best friend, and soul mate, Robert Marquis.  Happily married for 62 years, the only time they were ever apart was when Bob was in the Army, stationed in Germany.

            Violet dedicated the majority of her life to her husband and children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her family was indeed the love and joy of her life. When her children were growing up, she was involved in all school activities with her daughters, including field trips, volunteering in their classrooms, being a member of the PTO, and supplying classroom holiday treats.  She made homemade Halloween costumes for her daughters which regularly won Best Costume awards at the annual town Halloween party.  Both her daughters played 3 sports each year for six years at Parish Hill Middle/High School and Violet attended every single game except one - when she had to have neck surgery.  She never missed a game in the 6 years that her grandson, Nick, played at PHMHS, and she never missed an event that grandson Mike and granddaughter Marina participated in.  She adored and was immensely proud of her grandchildren, and absolutely delighted in her new great-grandchildren.

            Violet enjoyed knitting, playing softball for many years in The Willimantic Womens' League, and was an avid reader.  She was an unwavering UConn Men's Basketball fan.  Violet and Bob ran The Fire Place, a business which sold antique fire equipment and memorabilia, and amassing an extensive collection of their own. Violet and Bob were well known for their car license plate, VIBOB.  Violet was a devoted genealogist - tracing her family and Bob's back through many generations.  She also traced the genealogy of many other people. 

            Violet was committed to preserving the history of the town of Hampton for future generations.  She amassed volumes of old photos, postcards, newspapers, and other items in this endeavor.  Violet was an avid photographer, always sharing her photos.  For many years, she was the official photographer for the Hampton-Chaplin Ambulance Corps.   Violet was the main force in producing the Hampton High Road, a monthly newsletter covering the town of Hampton.  The goal of the Hampton High Road was to unite the community, keep the history of and present the positive aspects of the town she loved so dearly.  

            Violet had a great interest in the Plum Island Lighthouse, where her grandfather was the lighthouse keeper and her mother spent her childhood.  Two years ago she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she visited the lighthouse with several family members. Violet loved watching the birds in her window birdfeeder, and feeding the turkeys in her yard.  Violet was kind and generous, and an amazingly strong woman.

            In addition to her adored and adoring husband, Bob, she will be grieved and greatly missed by her devoted daughters, Trudy (Ben) Brockett and Joan (Jerry Figueroa) Marquis; her grandchildren Nicholas (Jessica) Brockett, Mike (Derek Iverson) Brockett, and Marina Figueroa; her great-grandchildren Kenzie and Jayce Brockett; and her dear sister Barbara (Ian) Cairns. Her cherished cat, Cutie Pie, was a huge comfort to Violet during her illness. 

            Bob and Violet went to breakfast and lunch every day at Pine Acres Restaurant in Chaplin where they had many special friends.  She was especially grateful for dear friend, Casey Mangiafico.  Her nurse, Elaine Marchetere, from Day Kimball Hospital Hospice, provided Violet and her family with loving, kind, and compassionate care and support, for which they will be forever grateful. Diane Cook provided pain relief and relaxation with her gentle touch massage.

            In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hampton-Chaplin Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 98, Hampton, CT  06247.  Please do a random act of kindness so that Violet's kindness and generosity live on as her legacy.

            A commemoration of Violet's life will be held on Friday, November 24, at 10:00 am at the Hampton Congregational Church, 263 Main Street, Hampton.  Burial will follow at the Howard Valley Cemetery, South Bigelow Road, Hampton.

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