Violet Grayson

October 11, 1925 – March 24, 2022

Resident of Alameda, California

Born at home in Cumberland, RI on October 11, 1925, to John and Emma (Butterworth) Grayson, and raised with her sister, Ruth (Grayson) Morrison, Violet passed away of natural causes at Alameda Hospital on March 24, 2022 at the age of 96. 

Violet was a wonderful woman of steadfast compassion and kindness, with boundless energy and imagination. She grew up during the Great Depression and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1943, active most notably with the school paper and the Year Book committee.  Her passion for writing blossomed early and continued unabated throughout her long life.  During World War II, she served as a hostess at YMCA and USO dances, all the while honing her writing skills by corresponding with fourteen servicemen! In her spirit of kindness and generosity, she also sent staples such as sugar and tea to relatives in England.

After graduating from business school in Providence, RI in 1943, she eventually became a respected Credit Administrator with The Foxboro Company from 1952 until her retirement in 1985.

In 1949, Violet married Donald Morrison, and gave birth to her daughter, Darcy, in 1950. She moved to Foxboro, MA in 1951, and later divorced. In 1968 she met the love of her life, Charles Dean Lawton, enjoying twenty wonderful years until his passing in 1989. In 1993, Violet moved to Alameda, CA to be with her daughter, calling the island home for the rest of her life. Within a few years, she met George Schultz, whom she eventually married and for several delightful years Violet and George cruised and danced around the world, until she lost George in 2009. 

After retirement in 1986, she arrived at her real vocation, as a writer.  She published stories in 22 national magazines and wrote a column for The Foxboro Reporter. After moving to California, she joined Writers West of Alameda, serving in various roles for over thirty years. Most notably, she published three books of short stories (In the Village of Lonsdale, A Gossamer Cord, and Jeremy's Cottage) and a memoir, A Life Not Expected. 

Throughout her lifetime, Violet was a dedicated and devout church member.  She served on the Vestry of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Foxboro, MA, sang in the choir, and acted as diocesan representative.  She later joined Christ Episcopal Church in Alameda, sang in the choir, and served as a lector and greeter.  

Violet leaves a beloved daughter, Darcy L. Morrison of Alameda, two stepsons, Peter E. Lawton and his wife, Nancy, of Sanford, FL and their three children, Shane, Maggie and Sophie, and Mark D. Lawton, of Oxford, MA, and his wife, Mary Ellen, and, as “Auntie Vi”, her three nieces, Janet (Doug) Pierson, of Warwick, RI, Marilyn (Lee) Fisher of Prescott, AZ, and Ann (Bruce) Millard of Spring Hill, FL, one grand-niece, Katherine (Katy) Vazquez Lames of lrvine, CA, and a great-grand-nephew, Matthew Bennett, also of Huntington Beach, CA.  She also leaves many devoted friends, and testaments to Violet as a lovely and deeply caring person continue to pour in. 

Donations in Violet's honor may be made to Christ Episcopal Church in Alameda.  https://christchurchalameda.org/

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at the Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services, 1415 Oak Street, Alameda, CA.  For further information please call, Harry W. Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745),

Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services, 1415 Oak Street, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-522-6020

.