Married at seventeen, the mother of four children and a San Francisco resident since 1958, you might see Violet shopping at Andronico’s, having a bowl of fruit one morning at The Crepevine or chatting with Glenn at Sunset Shoe Repair. She has an easy open smile, clear blue eyes and a signature greeting,

“How are you darling?”

It was always important for Violet to be around people and truly wonder how they were doing.

In her early years Violet worked in the Insurance Industry, Bank of America and for the San Francisco District Attorney’s office.

But what you probably don’t know is that in her sixties, Violet became a tap dancer.

“You know darling, after my husband passed away, Ruth from Star Dance Studio, insisted I take a Senior Dance class. My daughters had taken dance classes from Ruth years earlier. Ruth thought I could dance away the blues, and Star Dance Studio brought out the rhythm in me.”

Her blue eyes seem to dance.

“Everybody needs to tap dance. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do for yourself.”

Violet honed her steps and had an allegro all her own. Initially, she joined a volunteer group with other dancers and they performed at hospitals in San Francisco. Eventually she went out on her own as a solo performer.

“Honey, I went wherever they needed entertainment: Convalescent Hospitals, Salvation Army, and Laguna Honda. I would bring sheet music, a tape recorder and tap dance to Sweet Georgia Brown, In the Mood and Mame. And then we’d have a sing-a-long. Her theme song was Popeye the Sailor Man and Violet would have the patients sing the Boop Boop lyrics. When the energy level wasn’t to her liking she said,

C’mon. I want the traffic to stop outside.”

And the singing and enthusiasm soared. A favorite song was Grand Old Flag and Violet brought miniature flags for the non-singers to participate.

“We sang a lot of Irving Berlin songs. That made people happy.”

She would often close her show with, San Francisco Open Your Golden Gate.

Violet’s deep belief in community service has resulted in numerous awards and commendations: the Salvation Army, the Board of Supervisors and Carole Migden.

In the last few years Violet has had problems with her ankles but that has not deterred her from entertaining and bringing pleasure and joy to those in need.

On January 23, 2009 Violet is directing a Variety Show for Iraq Veteran’s from 911 American Legion Post. On that Friday afternoon at The War Memorial Building, returning men and women will be entertained with Violet’s collaborative show, God Bless the U.S.A. There will be singing, dancing and a warm, Welcome Home.

Any aging gracefully secrets?

“Be a good person. Be kind and caring to one another. It all comes back to you darling.”

We both share a profound love for our neighborhood. Violet takes delight in watching mothers with their babies in strollers, the many dogs with their proud owners, the occasional Sunset rainbow and shopping at Andronico’s.

“Honey, it’s my favorite store in the whole world.”

She tells me a story.

One afternoon a few months ago, Violet had shopped at Andronico’s and was walking home on Irving Street. Just one block from the store, Violet felt dizzy. She called Andronico’s Assistant Manager, Andrea Fitzgerald. Violet sat down at the Golden Rice Bowl, and within minutes, Andrea and another employee came to Violet’s aid, drove her home, carried her groceries up the stairs and put them away in her cupboard.

It’s moments like these, where the human connection is both a quiet and strong presence.

I’m reminded of an Irving Berlin song; Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.

I have many blessings in my life. Violet is a flower my life and Andrea is an angel.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Peaceful Kwanzaa.

NEXT WEEK: LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO ROGER, SUNSET ACADEMY OF MUSIC