Violet Hazel (Benner) Strugnell (1904 - 1984)

Born 29 Nov 1904 in Moncton, Westmorland, New Brunswick, Canada

Ancestors

Wife of Harry Garnet Morrell — married 1921 (to before 1936) in Moncton New Brunswick Canada

Descendants

Died 1984 at about age 79 in Moncton, Westmorland, New Brunswick, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mike Bennett [send private message]

Biography

B. Nov 1904, d. 1984 in Moncton N.B., one of three children of Fred Benner and “Mama Kate” (Katherine McDonald).

In childhood she lived away from her family for some time in a church school–shelter–orphanage possibly? for unknown reasons to me. Her father passed away when she was 7, so that may be why. My grandmother would often share stories of her school, and “Papa Priest” who she looked up to. She learned fluid French there, although her grandmother Christiana was Acadian French.

She married Harry S. Morrell Jan 10 1921 in Moncton New Brunswick, Ca. and had 4 girls, (Unknown name at time of writing, Katherine, Evelyn, and Wanda. In 1935/36 Violet had a fifth daughter, Lorene (Lorraine) with Leveret Taylor. The eldest daughter (unnamed here) did not survive past seventeen. Violet's marriage to Harry Morrell did not survive past the early 30's, and she eventually was involved in a short courtship with Leveret Taylor in 1935 as mentioned above. The relationship did not bloom, and by later in 1936 Violet met and went on to marry George Strugnell, her second husband. Violet and George did not have any children of their own [who survived]. “Granny” Vi, once widowed, often lived with Lorraine's family, and with her other daughter Wanda's family for many months at a time back and forth, in the 60s and 70s. When she did stay with my family, she kept house, babysat us, and would work in the laundry store part time. My father would remark she (his mother-in-law) was the hardest working woman he ever met. She was a spiritual person, religious and quite superstitious. She would often share stories of her youth and would often be giving others their fortunes by tarot card. She was extremely good natured in the years I knew her.

Research note

Marriage record (George Strugnell) shows her as unmarried and living at home - parents James Duncan Morell and Jessie L. Hunt. Different person?

Sources

• Grandson MJ Bennett

• PANB birth record

• PANB [ https://archives.gnb.ca/Search/VISSE/141B7.aspx?culture=en-CA&guid=c0769fa2-7945-4ed8-a0fb-257824b3f6e0marriage record] (George Strugnell, transcribed as Strugnall)

• Find A Grave: Memorial #210179306 Fair Haven Memorial Gardens, Moncton