Remembering Violet Leitas April 29, 1909 - August 23, 2006

I met Violet in 1993 when I worked in San Francisco at a clothing store part-time in the SF Center. Violet was a spry 84 years old at the time. She would come from Oakland on BART to spend the morning shopping at her favorite places. We were lucky to be her very first stop. Violet loved hats and colorful clothing. She was a true inspiration to all of us at the store. As time passed I would go to Oakland to take her to lunch at Jack London Square. We enjoyed our adventures together and started a ritual of taking pictures. I often thought I would start a Violet and friends calendar with all of the great shots we took. She was very dear to me and we had a lot of fun and laughs together. I love you Violet. You will be missed.

Take a peek into the spirit of the colorful and wonderful friend I knew as Violet. She was ahead of her time... Here is Violet in full color. She loved Jack's Bistro, Kincaid's and El Torito's. Her favorite lipstick was Red, Red, Red by Clinique, although it looks like she is wearing pink here.



Connie, Violet and me at Scott's Seafood in Jack London Square. Connie and I worked together. We both loved Violet and would take her out for lunch.

Violet would hold my hand as we walked and we would wander and talk as we shopped. On numerous occasions she would get caught up in conversation and not notice that she was walking me right into a pillar or trash container. It had the potential for a good slap stick movie.

Violet was famous for her black fingernail polish. She was the first to start this trend back in the 1940's. She kept her nails manicured and polished up until the end. When we went out around Halloween, people would say, "oh, you are ready for Halloween". They would comment on how cute or fun she was to wear black polish and costumy clothes. Little did they know that she always dressed like this...
Violet was a trend setter and was one of the first women to wear pants as a fashion (and comfort) statement. Here she is in Yosemite in the 1930's. She would tell me stories of seeing hollywood stars when she and Charley went out dancing. Barbara Stanwick and Montgomery Clift sat at a table next to them at a San Francisco nightclub.

Violet with her husband Charley on the boardwalk in Santa Cruz.

She met Charley at a dance. She would fondly tell me the story of how her dance card was full - except for the last dance - when Charley came up to request a dance with her. She said that he sat and waited patiently until the end of the evening to get the last dance with her. He turned out to be the love of her life. They were married for over 50 years until his death in the early 1990's.

Violet in 1938 in front of the family car in Oakland...it turns out that Violet only lived a few blocks from where my dad was born in 1933.

Violet in the back yard of their home in Oakland.

Violet's Charley with their Scottie. Name unknown...

Dressed up in our hats we would get a lot of second looks. One day we were having brunch at El Torito's when a woman looks over and asks Violet, "are you someone famous?" We laughed and thanked her for the compliment. She thought that Violet was an actress from the silver screen. Violet got a kick out of this and would often refer to that comment with fond memories.

Here we are at Jack's. We wore the same sweater this day. It was reversable - I wore the black side out and she wore the white side out. We walked into the restaurant and Violet asked me if I thought they would notice that we were wearing the same sweater. All I remember is the big smiles on peoples faces as they saw us. I think they noticed...


Violet in front of her favorite hat store. We had more fun trying on and buying hats here.

Violet and my dad. My dad joined us for lunch one day and became part of the photo ritual that we practiced on our excursions. Violet had a lot of fun with this picture and would tell her girlfriends that this was a picture of her with her younger boyfriend. My dad was 68 at the time.

Violet with friend Betty Boop...

Biker Babes Betty Boop and Violet...

Violet with Taz...

Violet with the Easter Bunny for brunch overlooking Lake Merritt. This is one of the rare occasions we did not eat at Jack London Square.

Violet at Halloween with the straw witch...notice how they have the same hair color and hat?

Violet with friend Michael Jordan.

Violet with some bunny...

Violet telling Santa what she wants for Christmas. "Hey big boy I want some new hats, shoes and cookies for Christmas."


Some of the last pictures with Violet were at this car show at Jack London Square. We both ate Salmon at Jack's and had the best Tiramisu for dessert. Thanks for all the wonderful memories Violet! I will see you again one day. Love, Linda