Violet “Vie” H. Richards

WHITEFIELD – Violet “Vie” H. Richards, 88, died Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Augusta Center for Rehabilitation following a brief illness surrounded by her many close family members, either in person or by phone. She was born in Augusta, on June 28, 1937, in the house her father built, a daughter of the late Philias and Marie D. (Pepin) Gilbert.

Mrs. Richards attended Augusta schools and was a communicant of St. Michael Parish.

Vie worked at the White Cloud Laundry in Augusta for 11 years, Health-Tex in Gardiner for 22 years, Central Maine Power Company for over 13 years, retiring as a Records and Microfilm Analyst, and finally in her son’s business, ProKnee, working part-time from the age of 50 to 83 (1987-2020).

Vie was an active member of the following organizations for many years: Cushnoc Senior Citizens starting in 2000, Wild Gang Bowling League, starting 2000 (Strikers Team), TOPS, starting in July 2003—Queen 2013 KOPS (crowned 4-17-13).

She loved reading her KJ every morning with her coffee and her extensive Danielle Steele collection, which she continually updated. Part of her daily routine was saying her prayers and riding her stationary bike. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting for her many family members. Vie loved playing cards and going out to eat with her friends, playing games with grandchildren, and loved traveling and visiting her relatives. She fondly remembered going with her brother, Joe, for three weeks in Florida to visit snowbirds: her sister, Pauline and husband, Norman in Zephyr Hills, Fla. and both brothers Paul and Royal and their wives at Fort Myers, Fla.

Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren meant the world to Vie. She loved being surrounded by family and ensured her original Whitefield land, either directly or indirectly, would be available to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren if they so chose. She loved having family members living around her, so she moved to her final home in Whitefield from 1984 to 2025 (over 40 years).

Vie loved hosting parties for her family whether it was birthdays, holidays or other get-togethers. She always had such a good time with all of them. They played games and won prizes, and they always ended up eating a delicious meal at the end of the day.

Vie also spent a special 55th birthday with daughter, Dawn and her family in Disney World in Florida. She also went to Arizona to visit her niece, Nicole, with Vie’s sister, Madeleine and her significant other, Norman, and went to Las Vegas, Nev. with them and had a terrific time. She also loved going camping with her daughter and son-in-law and their children and grandchildren. Karl and Judy later got a camper and joined in some special times with their children and grandchildren. Vie loved to cook for everyone, which they all enjoyed. She loved the moments by the campfire and hearing jokes and stories and having a great time. Vie always enjoyed the boat rides and dining excursions to Boothbay Harbor with her son, Lee, and his family.

Vie missed her daily morning walking ritual with daughter-in-law, Judy, and former dog, Annie, as well as many other walking excursions. Her son, Karl, would always find unique opportunities to help Vie with gardens, winterizing her home, computers, etc. Her son Lee made sure her landscaping was up to date and her daughter, Dawn, helped her with financial, medical and many other personal issues.

Having one of her great-granddaughters (Sophie Violet Dulac) named after her meant so much.

In more recent years, Vie increasingly enjoyed time with her growing family. She enjoyed her weekly visits with great-granddaughters, O’Hara and Indigo Lee, rocking, reading stories and playing with them. She loved the many hair styles her daughter-in-law, Jennifer, gave her. The many quilts made by her daughter-in-law, Judy, kept her comfortable, especially in her later years. Her granddaughters, Jennifer, Kasie and Jordan, would create special nights, whether it was a pajama party with Kasie and Jordan, or special visits with Jennifer and her family. Vie was also close to her grandsons Shawn, Drew and Griffin who would stop in with (or without) the rest of their families to just catch up on life. Vie loved company. She would either visit (or be visited) even if on a moment’s notice. Vie had many loyal friends she stayed in touch with over the decades. Vie will be remembered as a hard-working, beautiful, strong, and family-centered Matriarch who was obsessed with seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports, especially basketball.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at the Augusta Rehabilitation Center, Beacon Hospice, and all the hospital staff who often told her children how much they “loved Vie” and who took such great care of her while overseeing her health and wellness.

Mrs. Richards was predeceased by two brothers, Gilles and Paul Gilbert, a sister, Pauline Gilbert Fortin; and her cat, Smokey, whom she loved dearly.

She is survived by her children, son, Karl S. Richards and his wife Judith, daughter, Dawn P. Dulac and her husband Gilles, son, Lee E. Richards and his wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Jennifer Dulac Noftall and husband Christopher, Drew Richards and wife Jenn, Shawn Dulac and partner Heather Underhill, Kasie Richards Giallombardo and husband Jeff, Jordan Richards Abbott and husband Jay, and Griffin Richards; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Ayla, Brady and Dylan Noftall; Lily and Gracie Richards; Luke and Will Giallombardo; Ariana Underhill and Sophie Violet, Amelie, Bennett and Natalie Dulac, O’Hara and Indigo Lee Abbott; siblings, brother, Royal Gilbert and his wife Joan, sister, Madeleine Gilbert Morin Pomerleau and significant other Norman Levin and brother, Joseph “Joe” Gilbert; as well as many cousins; nieces, nephews; grandnieces, grandnephews; and many close friends.

Relatives and friends may visit on Sunday, July 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will follow in Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Road., Augusta.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

Those who desire may make a donation in Vie’s memory to:

American Stroke

Association

P.O. Box 840692

Dallas, TX 75284-0692

Violet “Vie” H. Richards