Violet G. Mahlab Marks Walter

Violet G. Mahlab Marks Walter chose to end her 26-year dance with Parkinson’s Disease on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at the age of 85.

Beyond her primary focus on and love for her family, Vi was a history teacher, businesswoman, realtor, master Afghan maker, organizer and true world traveler.

She shared and encouraged her passions for education and travel with all who knew her, often as a soft-spoken mentor. To her caregiver family (over the last 10 years) at Allerton House in Duxbury, Mass., she was plucky in the face of her disease and always gracious for the care she received.

She will be remembered by them for her sense of humor, often unexpected.

She was married to two fine men, Ted Marks (her soul mate in Warwick) and Charlie Walter (her best friend in Southern Pines, N.C.), both of whom passed before her, each after very rich and fulfilling 18-year marriages with her.

She continues in spirit through her two sons, Donald and Gary Marks, her granddaughter and great granddaughter Ashley and Teya Mahanama, her brother Frank Mahlab and his extended family in Australia, along with numerous other extended family members and friends from a well-lived lifetime, across this planet.

We will miss her less only because she is already part of us.

A service and celebration of her life will be held at Temple Beth Shalom in Florida on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please enjoy moments of remembrance of Vi reflecting upon what she meant to you and consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.