AUGUSTA – Viola R. (Johnson) Webber, 84, of Augusta died on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 at MGMC Alfond Center for Health of a stroke she suffered on Sunday, surrounded by her family.

Viola was born at home on the family farm in West Greenwich, R.I. on June 12, 1937, the daughter of the late Robert E. Johnson, Sr. and Mabel A. (Sprague) Johnson. Although named after two maternal grandmothers, Viola and Ruth, she was soon dubbed “Sis” by her older sister, Alice, and the family nickname stuck with her throughout her life.

She moved with her family to central Maine at the age of 9 and they settled in Vassalboro where she attended Vassalboro school and later Erskine Academy in South China, where she meet Boyd Webber. Vi and Boyd were married on June 28, 1953 and shortly after built a home on the northeastern side of Three Cornered Pond on the Lamson Road. Years later they built another home across the road, where they remained until the present day.

Vi and Boyd raised their six children, and constantly welcomed all to the family table, with one rule “Take what you want, but Eat what you take”.

Viola worked 27 years, until her retirement, at Lakeside Orchards in Manchester. She loved to spend many hours cooking, baking, crocheting, knitting and many other crafts, gardening, and landscaping around her home until she became wheelchair bound from a stroke in 2001 and years later, she battled and survived a bout of breast cancer. She continued to cook and bake despite her limitations, baking many pies, cookies, cakes, and other desserts many of which caused neighborhood children to call her the cookie lady.

Viola is predeceased by both her parents; sister, Alice, brothers Robert Jr. and Everett; her son Boyd Jr.; and granddaughter Rebecca.

She survived by her husband of 68 years, Boyd S. Webber Sr.; her sons Bruce and wife Debbie of Augusta, Tom and wife Lori of Augusta, her daughters Jean Royle of Palermo, Sue and Deb of Augusta, and Patricia of Waterville; grandsons James of Augusta, Kevin and his partner Heather of Windsor, Shane and his partner Tasha of Waterville, Daniel of Florida and Derek and wife Heather of Fairfield, granddaughters Heidi and her partner Matt of Florida, Katherine (Cater) and husband Seth of Lisbon, Sara (Phillips) and husband Rick of Surry, Tara and Natasha of Florida; her little sister, Fran Hall of Windsor and sister-in-law, Annette Johnson of Gardiner; two great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons; her favorite “adopted son” Jack Mellor of Whitefield; many cousins; nieces and nephews including her Sunday dinner pal Wayne Johnson of Pittston; and her beloved calico, Mitzy.

Viola’s family wishes to extend special thanks to Gail Gower-Roundtree her home health aide for all the wonderful years of friendship and care; her grandson, Jim for many hours of assistance and errands; her long-time PC, Dr. Roger Hall and his staff; and the staff of the ER and the 2 West unit of Alfond Center of Health for their boundless care and support.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19 at the Boynton-Webber American Post 179, Legion Memorial Drive in South China.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to:

Assistance Plus,

P.O. Box 358,

Fairfield, ME 04937.

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