Viola M. Willette, 79
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Viola Mildred Willette, 79, of 505 Union St., formerly of 96 Yale St., died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at her home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer
Born in North Adams on Sept. 29, 1924, daughter of Rene and Charlotte Blake Ouellette, she graduated in 1943 from Drury High School and in 1946 from the former Henry Bishop Memorial School of Nursing in Pittsfield
A registered nurse, Mrs. Willette was employed for 10 years at Poet's Seat Nursing Home in Greenfield, retiring in 1995. She also had been director of nursing at the former Adams Nursing Home for 20 years.
She was a communicant of St. Francis' Church, and a member of the Jollee Circle and Le Circle Francais clubs.
She was a member of the Alumni Association of the Bishop Memorial School of Nursing.
Her husband, Gerald L. "Larky" Willette, whom she married Feb. 7, 1948, died Aug. 28, 1997.
She leaves three daughters, Mary Lou Wright of Stamford, Vt., Cheryl Witherell of North Adams and Judi-Anne Willette of Pownal, Vt.; three sons, Gerald L. "Chip" Willette Jr. of Mashpee, Joseph Willette of Leominister and David Willette of North Adams; two sisters, Reinee Breen of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and Sharon Cote of North Adams and Port St. Lucie, Fla., 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by two sisters, Charlotte Barcomb and Gloria Mirante.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mrs. Willette will be Wednesday at 8:15 from FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, West Main Street. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 9 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, then burial in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 5 to 8. Memorial donations are suggested to the Alumni Association of the Henry Bishop School of Nursing at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, or to VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire through the funeral home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.