TRAVERSE CITY - Violet was born April 21, 1927 to Violet and Fred Matthews in London, England, on the Queen's first birthday. She was named after her "mum" and the Queen. Fred was her only sibling, who was named after their father and he preceded her in death in 1968.

She loved talking about her life growing up in England. As a young adult, she was a seamstress, who enjoyed going to the dance halls. There she met and eventually married Raymond Crellin who preceded her in death in 2007.

Vi and Ray, as they were known by their friends, had two children before leaving England for the United States in 1955. Eventually, they would add three more children to their brood.

Violet was a stay at home Mom for most of her children's lives. Vi and Ray joined the Caledonian Club of Detroit, where they met up with old friends from "back home" and made many new friends. This social circle of friends became their American family and they would throw darts in a league on Friday nights and spend all holidays together. When retirement arrived, they would all leave to winter in Florida together.

Violet loved to read, travel, dance, knit, shop and go for long country drives. She enjoyed her Sunday evening shows on PBS, Cadbury chocolate and endless cups of tea. She had a deep love for flowers.

Singing silly pub songs and poking fun at her "old age", she laughed often. She was demure by nature, rarely spoke an unkind word, and always was a lady, prim and proper. As dementia set in, Violet was cared for by her children and special friend, Sharon Rorick, whom Vi loved like a daughter.

Violet leaves behind five children; Garry (Donna) Crellin, Diane (Carl) Nichols, Kevin Crellin, Jeannette (Dennis) Tuck and Terry (Rick) McPhall, 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She will be forever loved and held dearly in our hearts.

A family service will be held at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with Pastor Kendale Dennis officiating. Interment will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

For those desiring, memorial contributions in Vi's name may be directed to any organization benefitting Veterans, something which Vi supported over the years.