Violet Leggo

Violet Blanche Leggo (nee: Gillard)
July 21st, 1939-September 14th, 2021, 82 years old

Violet, of Swift Current, SK. passed away peacefully in the Swift Current Hospital. It saddens us that she was taken early due to complications induced by Covid-19.

Violet was born in the tiny town of Twillingate in the Northern part of NL. She was the youngest of 4 children. Her Parents Bennett Gillard, and Florence nee. Burton, were both Twillingate born themselves, and raised their 4 children Burt, Ethelwynn, Marie, and Violet with the small town Newfoundland values. The door was always open, the tea always hot, and something to eat always available. She grew as one would expect a small town girl had grown. Close family, and dreams of greater things. As the youngest child she was the last to leave home. Her older Siblings, like most Newfoundlanders, went to Toronto to experience the bigger world, and follow their destiny. Violet would leave home to stay with her sister in Toronto and picked up jobs along the way. One job she had was working in the Rowntree Chocolate Factory, in the Kit Kat line. She apparently couldn't stand the taste of chocolate for quite some time. She also had a stint where she worked in a hospital as a nurses trainee. Like so many others, she was drawn back home to Newfoundland. She had her first child Bennett 'Ben' 1958 at the young age of 19. He was the apple of her eye, and she was madly in love with him. As was often the case in those days, Ben was raised and taken care of by his grandparents, and Violet always nearby to help. She eventually met her future husband (John Leggo) in St. John’s, NL. Their courtship was quick, and they began to start a family. Dianne 1968, Lorraine 1969, and David 1970, made for a very busy home with 3 little ones so close in age. They then moved from Newfoundland to Ontario’s Greater Toronto area and back to Newfoundland for the next several years.
In the summer of 1976, the family made their permanent move to Western Canada, to the city of Swift Current, SK. It was here that Violet would spend the rest of her life. Her son Ben also joined, and went back and forth a while before he settled out west as well, his path led him to Alberta and BC. The remaining three children grew up in Saskatchewan. A few years after the move to Saskatchewan, Violet's marriage dissolved, and she would spend the rest of her life a single mother. She always missed Newfoundland and drempt of "going home" often. As time and years passed so did a lot lifes trials and tribulations. In 1995 she lost her youngest in Terrace BC to suicide. Which changed everyone forever. The remaining 3 children and she became a very close group, sharing the same grief. Throughout the years she became a grandmother 4 times over. She loved and was fiercely proud of them all. Brittany 1985, Taylor 1992, Tamia 1993, and Joshua 1997. She spent her grandmother years babysitting at every opportunity possible, and taking the kids to the park. She grew older and a number of health issues arose. But she always got through, and seemed to be virtually invincible. More time Passed and she was blessed again with more children in her life, when she became a great grandma to Myla 2008, and Evan 2012. At every opportunity she would still make the treck to the park to play with the next generation. She was fulfilled and loved her entire family with all her heart. Whether a little more distant or living down the street, each and every child was of equal importance to her.

Then just this past week she started feeling ill. Her daughter Dianne wisely decided to take her to the emergency ward of the hospital and we eventually learned she caught the Covid Virus. She deteriorated quickly but was allowed visitors who were geared up appropriately. At the time of her Passing, her daughter Dianne (with her partner Jay), and granddaughter Tamia (with her partner Michael) were present. September 14th 2021 was a very sad day for her little family, and she will never lose her magical place in our hearts.

Our deepest gratitude go to the tireless work of the hospital staff who are again overwhelmed with similar cases and yet find the time and compassion to treat our mother, and us with the upmost respect. Our mother only had 1 dose of the vaccine, which made her feel very ill, so sadly chose to not get the second. Or, we believe, our story would have ended quite differently. From our family to yours, please get vaccinated.

Violet was survived by immediate family: Bennett 'Ben' Gillard, Dianne (partner Jay) Leggo, Lorraine (husband Darwin) Nickel, Brittany (partner Dan) Leggo, Taylor Buffalo, Tamia (partner Michael) Nickel, Joshua Nickel, Myla Fong, and Evan Fong. Other family: nephew Donald Clarke, niece Marie Clarke, Marie's 2 children Wendy (and son James) Vinnicombe, and Nikki (husband Ace) Dyke, and niece Annette (husband John) Pitcher, along with their son Anthony Pitcher.

She is pre deceased by parents, Bennett and Florence 'Flossy' Gillard, brother Burt Gillard, sisters: Ethelwynn 'Ethel' (and husband Winston 'Bud') Clarke, and Marie (and husband Michael) Fournier, and her baby boy David John Leggo.

There will be no service as Violet was a private lady and wanted something intimate. So we will gather in our own time to celebrate her memory.

We do not ask for any donations, but we plead with the public to educate themselves, and get vaccinated. We don't wish this on any other family.
Rest in Peace Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma. Never forgotten, always near and dear to our hearts.

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