EAST BERNE — A keen eye and warm smile made Viola Durocher a loving and positive mother and beautician.

She died on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, in Jacksonville, Fla., after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 65.

Mrs. Durocher was the beloved wife of Robert Durocher of Jacksonville.

She was born in East Berne on Nov. 2, 1947, the daughter of Earl and the late Florence (née Olsmit) Wagoner. She graduated as salutatorian of her class at Berne-Knox-Westerlo and continued her education at the Rhode Island School of Design. She was a homemaker and beautician for over 35 years.

“Viola’s legacy of an amazing mother and incredible person will forever be remembered with her signature smile of warmth and positivity,” her family wrote in a tribute. “She loved spending time with her grandchildren and also enjoyed painting, hummingbirds, crocheting, sewing, decorating, and simply being surrounded by her family and friends.

“Viola had an unwavering faith evidenced in her role as a sponsor to people entering the Catholic Church,” her family wrote.

Viola Durocher is survived by her husband, Robert Durocher; her father, Earl Wagoner; her two daughters, Michelle Thompson and Julie Massey; her son-in-law, Steven Massey; her siblings, David Wagoner and his wife, Patty, Leila Gardineer and her husband, Raymond, and Donald Wagoner; her cherished grandchildren, Justin Massey, Brianna Massey, Aaron Thompson and Megan Thompson; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

A viewing was held at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home in Orange Park, Fla., on Nov. 6.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Jacksonville on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 10:30 a.m. with Father Denis O’Shaughnessy as celebrant. Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at Post Office Box 22718,
Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, or at donate.cancer.org.

Condolences may be left online at obit.jacksonvillememorygardens.com.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the St. Rose Hospital in New York, Baptist Medical Center in Florida, and Community Hospice in Florida for their support in Viola’s final days.