Obituary of Violet Gray

Mary Violet Gray (Billard), daughter of the late Albert and Rose Billard, 94 of Ketch Harbour, Sambro Head and recently Halifax passed away peacefully in her sleep the early morning of December 27th, 2025. The Heavenly Choir is singing just a little louder today as mom takes her place amongst them.

A life long member of St. Peters Catholic Church and Choir in Ketch Harbour. She was baptised, made her First Communion/Reconciliation and was married from St. Peters. Mom was an avid knitter and there are many over the years that have worn her creations. Sweaters, mittens and baby blankets were her specialty, and she knit hundreds of them, maybe thousands. Most recently, and probably one of her last big projects, she knit a pair of mittens for every child in her youngest great grandson, Landon, school class, close to 30 pair. Mom was an employee of Sears Canada for many years, retiring in the mid 1990s. Prior to marriage, she was a chocolate packer at Moirs Halifax. Mom and Dad spent a great deal of time at their summer home Lower Sixty Lake, East Dalhousie, with a mountain of family and friends. Some wonderful memories live there. She also loved to travel and got to visit a lot of the Caribbean Islands during several cruises. Her last trip, a few years back, she spent 2 weeks in Florida with her family and friends.

Violet is survived by her 4 daughters. Rosemary Gray, Louise Gray, Marie Smith and Frances (Matthew) Harnish and brother Edward Billard. Also left to mourn are the lights of her life, her grand daughter Emily Morgan, adopted grandson Marcel and her two greatest loves, great grandsons Owen Oliver and Landon Arthur.

Violet was predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years Arthur, her brother Donald (Audrey) and sister Virginia “Jenny” (Thomas), son-in-law Paul, nephew Mark Billard, niece Nancy Gray (Inkpen) brother-in-law Brenton (Madeline), sisters-in-law Goldie (Sherman), Shirley, wife of brother-in-law Murray Gray, Phyllis and husband of sister-in-law Mary, Winslow Boutilier. Violet was also predeceased by chosen son Steven Beazley.

We want to send a special thank you to Lee Gray, who attended to mom during her last days. Melville Lodge is a better place because of people like you, Lee.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 30, 2025 7 PM - 9 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Chapel of Walkers Funeral Home 149 Herring Cove Road on Friday January 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM