Violet Mabel Dykins, 96, passed peacefully in her sleep on July 30, 2015. She was born in Buffalo, NY on March 2, 1919 to Earl Joseph Franks and Mabel Catherine Dittman Franks. Violet taught piano, starting at the age of 18, for nearly 60 years. She loved teaching and loved children, especially the over 400 students she taught during her lifetime. She married Neil V. Dykins in the early 1940s. He precedes her in death. She married John Offringa in the late 1980s. He also precedes her in death. Violet had a strong Christian faith which guided her throughout her life, and was embodied in her spirit of Christian outreach. She was an avid reader and had a love of learning, which she passed on to her children. Violet had a great artistic nature. In her early years, she wrote over 200 poems.

Violet is survived by her daughters, Patricia Hall and Michelle “Shelley” Mathus; grandson, Jack R. Hall. She was preceded in death by her husbands, and her sister, Eileen Franks Clay.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. For information, please email Patty at mintradio@aol.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Violet’s honor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.donate.lls.org/lls/donate).