Viola May Pasker James

Viola M. James , known by all as Vi, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 99 in Oxford,PA, where she lived for some years with her daughter, Karen and son-in-law Sam.

The family discovered just a few weeks prior that Vi had lung cancer and could not be treated. Though she fought and won a bout with advanced-stage breast cancer at the age of 50. Having endured the daily doses and weekly injections of early chemotherapy drugs, she could not fight that battle again. It was her time to rest.

Mrs. James was born in Orangeville, PA and lived her entire life in the state. Her early life in Frackville, where she graduated from high school with the third highest grade in her class; her mid-life in Norristown, PA, where she continued raising her younger children; and her later life in Oxford, PA.

Though Vi hoped to attend college to become an Agricultural Chemist, economic circumstances of the times prevented her from doing so. After working in a local hospital for a period of time, she was approached by a hospital administrator and offered a free education to become a registered nurse. She was unable to accept this opportunity as she lacked any outside support. Instead Vi worked for a few years and then made a career as a loving mother, wife, an immaculate housekeeper and an excellent cook.

She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Mae Pasker, her husband Thomas E. James, (with whom she had six children), a son Richard James of Windsor, CT who was married to Mary Lee(Altier) James; a daughter-in-law Kathryn M. Mengel James of Frackville and a brother Harold Pasker.

Vi is survived by her 3 sons and 2 daughters: Thomas A. James of Frackville, PA, Judith James of Waldorf, MD, Donald James of EL Sobrante, CA, whose married to Edna Luffey, Karen Schetrompf of Oxford, PA whose married to Samuel Schetrompf and Mark James of East Norriton, PA whose married to Danielle (Fitzgerald) James and by a loving and loved half-brother, Dale Pasker of Lancaster, PA and two loving half-sisters: Joyce Nelson, of CT, and Shirley Lemons of Brunswick, OH; ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many more loving nieces and nephews. Vi was known for her kindness and caring and will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations, be made in Viola's name, to the American Cancer Society at 101 W. Frack StreetFrackville, PA17931.

Funeral services will be held at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Wallace, officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until time of service. The interment will take place in OddFellowsCemetery, Frackville.