WILMINGTON — Violet Peth Freeman of Wilmington, N.C., and formerly of High Point, N.C. passed away peacefully, just weeks following her 90th birthday celebration, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center on January 23, 2024.
A celebration of her beautiful, full life will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Mount Lebanon Chapel, 814 Airlie Rd., Wilmington, N.C. 28403, officiated by The Rev. Cheryl Brainard. The Commendation and Committal service will be held Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church, 108 W. Farriss Avenue, High Point, N.C. 27262, officiated by Father Foster Mays. Visitations will follow each service.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Violet was the daughter of the late Nicholas Anthony Peth and Mary Carmen Altenburg Peth of Dayton. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 64 years, George, in 2018. In addition to her parents and husband, Violet was predeceased by her brothers Mark Anton Peth and Norman Peth.
Violet is survived by her children, Geoff Freeman (George Edward Freeman, Jr.), of Great Barrington, MA., Beth Freeman Dawson (Dan Dawson), of Wilmington, N.C., Martha Freeman Brouse (Col. Steven Brouse, USA, Ret.) of Madison, AL., grandson, Skye King Freeman (Julia Freeman), of New York City, N.Y., and granddaughter, Vivian Isabella Brouse, of Madison, AL.
Violet is also survived by her brother, James W. Peth (Barbara), of Dayton, OH., her sister, Nicki Peth Henry, of Winter Springs, FL., and her godson Lt. Col. Mark A. Coan, USAF, Ret. (Marga), of Berthoud, CO. She is also survived by numerous cousins, including Joan and Griffin Weld, formerly of Wilmington, and nieces and nephews across the country.
Violet graduated from Oakwood High School in Dayton, OH., where she was a majorette with the marching band. She attended Miami University in Oxford, OH, and Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, studying art and interior design. She continued her art studies later in life at Guilford Technical Community College.
Violet was a lifelong Episcopalian, having grown up in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dayton, (where she met and married George when he was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base) and was a member of St. James Parish in Wilmington, and was a former member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in High Point, where she taught Sunday School, served on the Altar Guild and Flower Guild, among many committees.
In addition to her voluntarism for her church, Violet served in many placements as a member of the Junior League of High Point, including managing the thrift shop, as newsletter chair, the traveling children’s theater troupe (I remember her up on a ladder hanging lights!), and her favorite- teaching art to children. She is now a Sustainer Emeritus member of the Junior League of Wilmington, N.C.
Violet was a member of the High Point Garden Club, The Debutante Club of High Point, and the Sedgefield Hunt Club, where she chaired the Hunt Ball many times. She had a green thumb and always had beautiful gardens, and beautifully decorated interiors, especially at their beloved horse farm she and George built- which garnered much media publicity- Somerset West on Oak Hollow Lake in High Point.
She was the ultimate hostess and could entertain at the drop of a hat, with George, whether it was dining with Governors or Statesmen or preparing the best stirrup cups for the Hunt or Steeple Chases- we loved those ham biscuits and cinnamon sticks!
She loved every beautiful thing – animals, flowers, art, antiques, jewelry, fashion, and knew how to take care of every living thing! Her favorites were her dalmatians, Pongo and Pepper. And she would take care of Martha’s cats, Geoff’s dogs, and Beth’s horses, even when we were long gone! And along with all the barn clothes, she was always the epitome of high fashion and styles of the times!
Violet and George loved dancing, sharing their love of music and opera, and traveling- nationally and internationally. As George was a private pilot and traveled via his private planes, Violet learned to fly and was a member of the Petticoat Pilots of N.C.
She was the farm manager, interior decorator, ultimate hostess, community volunteer, pilot, world traveler with George and her family, and wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Cousin, Aunt and Friend.
The family would like to sincerely thank the Congregational Care Guild, the Flower Guild and her Pen Pals at St. James Parish for your visits, cards and for keeping her so connected to her church family.
We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to her doctors- especially Drs. Pillay, Garner and Rudyk- and the kind, caring and compassionate staff of Davis Health Care at Cambridge Village, along with the wonderful doctors and nurses at the hospital.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. James Parish, “Mt. Lebanon Fund”, 25 S. Third St., Wilmington, N.C. 28401 Or to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 108 W. Farriss Ave. High Point, N.C. 27262.
