Obituary of Violet N. Nellis

FINDLEY LAKE - Violet N. (Saunders) Nellis, “Little Gramma”, age 93, of North Road, Findley Lake, formerly of Ripley, NY, died Sunday, November 13, 2011 at home. Violet was born on March 11, 1918 in Westfield, NY, the daughter of the late William and Katherine (Dodge) Saunders. A Findley Lake resident since 1976, Violet had resided in Ripley most of her life. She had been employed at the former Barmon Brothers sewing factory in Westfield for several years. “Little Gramma” greatly enjoyed her family and extended family. Violet was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and embroiderer. She was an avid gardener who enjoyed canning, cooking and baking. She was known for her holiday candy and baked goods. She was the Matriarch to six generations of loving family. Mrs. Nellis was a member of Findley Lake United Methodist Church, She is survived by her step-son, William Nellis and his wife Helen of Ripley, NY; her step-daughter, Arvie Jean Hallmark of Dunkirk, NY, her step-daughter In law, Marion Nellis of North East, PA, her two sisters, Agnes Winkelman of Westfield, NY and Audrey (Don) Caddis of Oneida, NY and her brother, Earl Saunders of Erie, PA. She is further survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, numerous great great grandchildren and one great great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Nellis, who died on February 22, 1994, her step-son, Norman J. Nellis, her step-daughter A. Faith Wright, her grandson, Kristopher Roush, and her great grandson, Wyatt Cruz, her sister, Treva Ottaway, and her 3 brothers, William, James and Theodore Saunders. Friends may call at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY on Wednesday November 16, 2011 from 11 AM until services there at 1 PM With Rev. Timothy Gleason of the Findley Lake United Methodist Church officiating. Private burial will be in Westfield Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Findley Lake Fire Dept., Findley Lake, NY, 14736 or to Shriners Hospital, West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16504 or to a charity of choice. Log onto www.masonfuneral.com to send the Nellis family a message of sympathy.