Mabel and Viola

Mabel May Jason was born on December 24, 1906 in East Providence, RI. She was the first child of Mary and Alfred.

In 1910 she had whooping cough and she had pneumonia in October of 1912. The cost of the doctor was $10.00, probably a large expense in those days.

In 1914, she entered second grade, and that same year on September 8 she began to take piano lessons.

Her first Waltz, which was probably a piano recital, was on January 1, 1915, and her second Waltz was on March 22, 1915. She entered the third grade in 1915.

Her photos show a lovely young dancer in a ballet pose. In the fall of 1918, after a dance program, she caught a chill. She became extremely ill, and on October 20, 1918 she died at very young age eleven. She is buried with her parents and sister in Saint Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, RI.

Viola was born in East Providence, RI on November 25, 1909. She was the second daughter of Alfred and Mary. The first record of Viola was when she was two years old. She had the chicken pox and whooping cough that year.

Her sister Mabel died when Viola was nine years old. It must have been very sad losing a sister only two years older than herself. Her younger sister Helen joined the family when Viola was ten.

When she was eleven, her father Alfred died. It was only three years later, at the very young age of fourteen, that Viola had to leave school and take a job to help her widowed mother with household expenses. Viola went to work in the Outlet Department Store in Providence. She made many friends there, one especially who became a life long friend was Mary Perry who worked in the Fabric and Pattern Deptartment of the store.

When Violet, as she liked to be called, was about fifteen, she met a handsome young man, James Motta. He was the son of Manuel and Mary Motta of Freeborn Avenue in East Providence. Jimmy was a trumpet player. He was a member of the local Portuguese Band.

On October 26, 1920, they married in Saint Francis Xavier Church in East Providence. Jimmy's sister Emily Motta and August Andrade were married in the same ceremony. The two couples set up housekeeping together for a few years after they married.

Violet was always dressed in the latest fashion. She had a flair for knowing just what was in style, and she was a beautiful girl. Jimmy played in many dance bands in the 1930's, and Violet would go with him and dance with friends. When Jimmy and Violet came out on the dance floor together, all eyes turned in their direction. They were a handsome couple, and could dance almost as well as Astaire and Rogers!

Vie and Jimmy were never blessed with children. They led a very busy life which included many friends. Jimmy had many hobbies such as photography, fishing, hunting and golf. Violet was a terrific seamstress, often making her own clothes. She could also crochet, a skill her mother and grandmother handed down.

I can remember going “down city” on the bus with Auntie Vie. She would take me to see Mae Perry, and, if I was lucky, she would take me over to “Sadie's” to have an English Muffin with jelly and a coffee milk shake. Then we would make the rounds of every store in the city, Pinkerson's, Kresge's, Cherry and Webb, and all the little dress shops in between. Every door she opened, she was was met with “Hi Vie! Good to see you.” She knew every sales woman in the city, and they all loved her.

Vie was very religious and a devout Catholic. She lived with her mother whom she adored, and her step father Leon. The four of them got along very well.

Jimmy could have gone on to become a trumpet player in a name band in New York City, but because Violet did not want to be too far from her family, he stayed in Rhode Island for her sake. He worked long hours in the Axelrod Music Company in Providence where he was a master musical instrument repairman.

They were a very happy couple. Violet was always stylish, and she and Jimmy had many friends. Among them were Beverly and Ernest Cianfarani. Beverly would be a true friend to Violet throughout her lifetime.

Again, with the encourgment of her sister Helen, and the joy her grand nieces and nephews gave her, she again found her great sense of humor.

Every week, Grandpop's little brown car would pull into the driveway, and “Tee Tee” would bring toys and clothes, candy, cookies and of course Allie's donuts. She was the one who taught us the old songs,“Billy Boy and Daisy Daisy”.

The years passed, and as she grew older she suffered many of the ills of the elderly. She fell, and broke her hip and wrist. Life was not easy.

Her love for everyone in her family was what sustained her in those later years. The smiles would return, and the troubles forgotten, at least for a while when we would walk in the door.

Violet and Leon lived many years together, both missing greatly the loves of their lives, Mary and Jimmy.

We are left with many beautiful memories of her boutiful love for us all. And as we remember her, a smile will always come to our faces as we think of a funny “Tee Tee” story and of the laughter and joy she gave us all.


	Footsteps Through Time \| Home Mabel and Viola Mabel and Viola My Mother's Sisters Mabel 1906-1918 Mabel May Jason was born on December 24, 1906 in East Providence, RI. She was the first child of Mary and Alfred. Her mother kept very clear notes on the life of her dear little daughter. In 1910 she had whooping cough and she had pneumonia in October of 1912. The cost of the doctor was $10.00, probably a large expense in those days. She started school in February of 1913 when she was six. In 1914, she entered second grade, and that same year on September 8 she began to take piano lessons. Her first Waltz, which was probably a piano recital, was on January 1, 1915, and her second Waltz was on March 22, 1915. She entered the third grade in 1915. In May of 1916 she stopped her piano lessons. It was at that time she began ballet lessons. Her photos show a lovely young dancer in a ballet pose. In the fall of 1918, after a dance program, she caught a chill. She became extremely ill, and on October 20, 1918 she died at very young age eleven. She is buried with her parents and sister in Saint Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket, RI. Mary, her mother, had recorded all the events in her daughter's short life. The last entry made in her journal was Died Oct. 20, 1918 A bold pencil stroke underlining the words so difficult for a grieving mother to write. Viola Gertrude Jason 1909-1987 Viola was born in East Providence, RI on November 25, 1909. She was the second daughter of Alfred and Mary. The first record of Viola was when she was two years old. She had the chicken pox and whooping cough that year. In September of 1915, she started school. Her sister Mabel died when Viola was nine years old. It must have been very sad losing a sister only two years older than herself. Her younger sister Helen joined the family when Viola was ten. When she was eleven, her father Alfred died. It was only three years later, at the very young age of fourteen, that Viola had to leave school and take a job to help her widowed mother with household expenses. Viola went to work in the Outlet Department Store in Providence. She made many friends there, one especially who became a life long friend was Mary Perry who worked in the Fabric and Pattern Deptartment of the store. When Violet, as she liked to be called, was about fifteen, she met a handsome young man, James Motta. He was the son of Manuel and Mary Motta of Freeborn Avenue in East Providence. Jimmy was a trumpet player. He was a member of the local Portuguese Band. On October 26, 1920, they married in Saint Francis Xavier Church in East Providence. Jimmy's sister Emily Motta and August Andrade were married in the same ceremony. The two couples set up housekeeping together for a few years after they married. Later, Violet and Jimmy moved into her parents home on Fourth Street. Violet was always dressed in the latest fashion. She had a flair for knowing just what was in style, and she was a beautiful girl. Jimmy played in many dance bands in the 1930's, and Violet would go with him and dance with friends. When Jimmy and Violet came out on the dance floor together, all eyes turned in their direction. They were a handsome couple, and could dance almost as well as Astaire and Rogers! Vie and Jimmy were never blessed with children. They led a very busy life which included many friends. Jimmy had many hobbies such as photography, fishing, hunting and golf. Violet was a terrific seamstress, often making her own clothes. She could also crochet, a skill her mother and grandmother handed down. I can remember going “down city” on the bus with Auntie Vie. She would take me to see Mae Perry, and, if I was lucky, she would take me over to “Sadie's” to have an English Muffin with jelly and a coffee milk shake. Then we would make the rounds of every store in the city, Pinkerson's, Kresge's, Cherry and Webb, and all the little dress shops in between. Every door she opened, she was was met with “Hi Vie! Good to see you.” She knew every sales woman in the city, and they all loved her. Vie was very religious and a devout Catholic. She lived with her mother whom she adored, and her step father Leon. The four of them got along very well. Jimmy could have gone on to become a trumpet player in a name band in New York City, but because Violet did not want to be too far from her family, he stayed in Rhode Island for her sake. He worked long hours in the Axelrod Music Company in Providence where he was a master musical instrument repairman. They were a very happy couple. Violet was always stylish, and she and Jimmy had many friends. Among them were Beverly and Ernest Cianfarani. Beverly would be a true friend to Violet throughout her lifetime. In 1963, Jimmy suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 53. Violet was devastated. Again, with the encourgment of her sister Helen, and the joy her grand nieces and nephews gave her, she again found her great sense of humor. Every week, Grandpop's little brown car would pull into the driveway, and “Tee Tee” would bring toys and clothes, candy, cookies and of course Allie's donuts. She was the one who taught us the old songs,“Billy Boy and Daisy Daisy”. The years passed, and as she grew older she suffered many of the ills of the elderly. She fell, and broke her hip and wrist. Life was not easy. Her love for everyone in her family was what sustained her in those later years. The smiles would return, and the troubles forgotten, at least for a while when we would walk in the door. Violet and Leon lived many years together, both missing greatly the loves of their lives, Mary and Jimmy. Their lives ended together in February of 1987 in a tragic house fire. We are left with many beautiful memories of her boutiful love for us all. And as we remember her, a smile will always come to our faces as we think of a funny “Tee Tee” story and of the laughter and joy she gave us all.