Obituary of Viola R. Grenier

Viola R. (Fortier) Grenier, passed away at the Aberjona Nursing Center on Saturday morning, November 19, 2016. The beloved wife of the late Philippe Grenier, she was 88 years old. Viola was born, raised and educated in New Bedford. She was the youngest of 7 children born to the late Armand and Arzelia Fortier. Viola would meet her future husband Philippe while in High School and they would become “high school sweethearts”. They married in 1948 and lived in New Bedford until moving to Waltham in 1952 where they would raise their four children. Viola worked in an insurance agency in her early career, then later as a bookkeeper for a clothing manufacturer in Waltham. She left work when her second child was born and returned to work as her children grew. She was the bookkeeper for Rotek Instrument in Waltham for 20 years until she retired. She loved her job and also cherished her role of wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Viola and Philippe had a wonderful life together. They raised their children supporting them in their youth, education, marriages and the growth of their families. They traveled many places within the United States and the Caribbean. They were active members of the Newton Yacht Club for 18 years, and during that time enjoyed many boating trips with the club members and made lifelong friends. Viola was the first mate and loved cruising. After their retirement in 1991 Viola and Philippe moved to Dunnellon, Florida. When her husband Philippe passed away in 1995, after only living in Florida for a few years, her family was concerned about Viola staying in Florida alone. But Viola was an outgoing and independent woman and made a wonderful life for herself in Dunnellon with many friendships. She was a woman of deep catholic faith and was a member of St. John’s Church in Dunnellon. Viola was very active in the church. She was involved in many of the activities of the church and was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and a past officer of the society. Viola was always on the go…. attending a local show, playing cards, visiting casinos, cruising to various destinations, enjoying outings and dining out with her many friends. She still had the 1995 Ford Taurus that she and her husband had purchased the year that he passed away and still did her own shopping, driving to church and to all her activities. Her youngest son was given her Taurus to be used by her grandchildren, and he drove it recently to California! She was a strong, independent and outgoing person. Viola maintained her three bedroom house all by herself until the end of 2015, when she started to have health issues. She decided to move to an Assisted Living in Massachusetts in 2016 to be near her family. She leaves a legacy of family and faith. Viola was blessed to see the birth of her third great grandchild, Wesley, just four weeks before her passing. Viola was the beloved wife of the late Philippe. Loving mother of Susan Petrowsky & her husband Michael of Burlington, David Grenier & his wife Anne of Billerica, Paul Grenier & his wife Ann of Temecula, CA and the late Robert Grenier. Sister of the late Wilfrid & Rudolph Fortier, Prudence Salts, Irene Francis, Gloria Nault and Dorothy Isherwood. Proud grandmother of Michael & Karen Marchant, Sara Clark, Lisa Petrowsky and Rebecca, Jennifer & Benjamin Grenier. Great grandmother of Jeffrey Suereth, Wesley Clark and the late John Santos. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt., 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 4-7 p.m. Interment in Mt. Feake Cemetery, Waltham. In lieu of flowers memorials in Viola’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.