Violet Venetia Mary Moody was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on October 22, 1926. The eldest child of five siblings, she was born into a family that valued education above all else.

After studying Pediatrics in London, England, she practiced in the UK and Jamaica before immigrating to Canada in the mid-seventies. An exceptional physician, she spent the last of her working years treating young children through play therapy.

Violet understood that, as a woman, particularly a woman of colour, she had to excel in her profession to be taken seriously. Good enough wasn’t enough. She excelled in hospital settings and eventually in private practice. In later life, she found the erosion of health care in this province to be egregious.

A person of strength and character, Violet was a formidable voice in any debate. Quick-witted and sometimes sharp-tongued, she could also easily show warmth and goodwill to family and friends.

Violet Moody’s life mattered, and she made a difference to all those who knew and loved her and whose lives she helped.

Violet is survived by her nieces Sandra and Dulcie Moody, nephew John Gill, grandnephews Ryan and Ethan Gill, lifelong friend Dilys Stevens, and the entire Stevens Family. She also leaves extended family and friends in the UK, the USA, Europe, and Jamaica.

The family would like to thank the staff of Chartwell Oak Ridges for the care and loving support they gave Violet over many years, as well as the caregivers at Mackenzie Health, who showed her such compassion and kindness in her final days.

Family and friends will be received at York Cemetery & Funeral Centre (160 Beecroft Road, North York 416-221-3404) on Friday, December 20 from 1-2 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., interment and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to your local food bank would be greatly appreciated.

The service will be livestreamed on Friday, December 20 at 2 p.m. A link will be available at 1:50 p.m. on this webpage. The service will be recorded for family and friends to view on Saturday, December 21 after 3 p.m.