Mother of 7, Grandmother of 13, Great Grandmother of 13 and Harrogate’s oldest resident Violet May Harrison passed away peacefully on 20 January 2016. Her final years were spent at Harrogate’s Emmaus House where her family says she received “the most remarkable care and kindness they have ever seen”.
She leaves behind a legacy that has touched the lives of many, many people and has served as an unrivalled inspiration to her friends and family.
Like the rest of her family her daughter Ruth Eaton, aged 73, was truly moved by how her mother was treated and adored by Emmaus House’s staff and carers.
Ruth shares her thoughts and gratitude in the following statement:
My mother Violet Harrison came to live at Emmaus House in Harrogate in 2013 at the age of 103. As is often the case with many families in this situation we were concerned that the right care home was found for her. Emmaus house is a Christian residential home and for the past 2+ years it proved to be the perfect place for Violet. On January 20th 2016 she passed away peacefully and pain free. The staff were truly superb in every respect, providing a rare and exceptional standard of care and comfort.
Social care often gets a bad press but Emmaus House is a great example of excellence. Residents are treated with loving kindness, individual needs are met and the atmosphere is pervaded with peace and calm. Very few care homes are able to achieve what Emmaus House delivers for its elderly residents and those that spend their final days there are truly lucky and blessed.
During her stay at Emmaus house Violet enjoyed singing hymns and was often treated to musical sessions and singsongs with Gordon, the Manager of the home. All of the staff, volunteers, chef and cleaners demonstrated their love for Violet in their high standards of tender care. These are truly selfless people.
Violet’s life was a remarkable one. Born in Peterborough and then brought up in Bradford from the age of 8yrs violet became a Christian at the age of 21 which she credited as “the highlight of her century”! She had 7 children and a loving , faithful husband, Albert who died in 1998.
Violet was the bedrock of her family for many decades and set an example that few could match. She left behind 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, all of whom looked up to her as a pillar of strength and consistency.
Violet’s final years were made happy, peaceful and positive due to the incredible care that she received in her care home. Harrogate has a jewel in its crown. That jewel is Emmaus house and all of the people who work there.
Violet will be laid to rest at Thornton Cemetery on Friday 5 February 2016 with her husband Albert and the family will then join together to celebrate her remarkable life at The Vulcan Christian Centre in Bradford. Three generations will attend the event to remember and celebrate Violet’s rare and far-reaching legacy. Her son and minister John Harrison will conduct the service.
