Obituary of Violet Foley Woodroffe

Violet Foley Woodroffe, 106, died peacefully at the Loch Lomond Villa on August 29, 2008. The daughter of the late Frederick and Violet (Strang) Foley, Violet was born on Loch Lomond Road in East Saint John on November 12, 1901. She grew up with her seven double cousins who lived next door, graduated from Saint John High School in 1917 and from McGill University in 1922. She was a charter member of the University Women’s Club of Saint John, a life member of the New Brunswick Historical Society, and a member of All Saints Anglican Church of East Saint John. She taught school in Montreal and worked on Wall Street in N.Y.C. when the stock market crashed in 1929. She then returned to Saint John and worked for F.J. Brennan and Company on Prince William Street. Having lived and worked in the city for most of her life, she was a wonderful family and city historian. In 1940 she married William J. Woodroffe, who died in 1982. She was also predeceased by her brother, Frederick D. Foley, in 1916 fighting in France during WWI and more recently by her sisters, Charlotte A. Foley and Helen F. Dunning. She is survived by two nieces, Marcia S. Dunning, of North Thetford, Vermont and Elizabeth D. Rowan, of Kirkland, Washington, the daughter of her cousin, Joan Alarie, of Oakville, Ontario, the son of another cousin, John Trainor, of Saint Stephen, N.B. and her loyal friend, Louise Allan, of Saint John. At Violet’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service. A graveside service at the Fernhill Cemetery followed by a celebration of her life at the Foley family Cottage at Baxter’s Corner will be held next summer when family and friends can be present. A donation in her memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424)