WEST FRYEBURG – Violet H. Thurston, 90, of West Fryeburg passed away Thursday, March 1, after a long and brave battle with lung cancer.

Violet was born in Winthrop on May 10, 1916, the daughter of Thomas W. and Bertha E. (Henry) Hutchins. She graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1933.

She married Irving Thurston in 1937. They lived in Stow before moving to North Fryeburg, where they lived for many years and finally to West Fryeburg, during which time they raised six children.

Violet looked forward to and was a leading participant at town meetings in Fryeburg and served for several years on the budget committee. She belonged for many years to the Church of the New Jerusalem, always baking pies for the church booth at the Fryeburg Fair. She was a founding member of the Interstate Snowmobile Club and served on its board of directors, involving herself in a variety of fundraising activities. She was active in and chairman for two years of the Fryeburg Senior Citizens.

The door to her home was always open to her family, friends and the friends of children, nieces, nephews and anyone who needed a friendly word or bite to eat. One of her favorite times of the year was Christmas Eve when 30 to 40 family members and assorted friends would gather for her traditional buffet and gift exchange. There were always a couple of extra gifts just in case an unexpected person would be brought along.

She is survived by her sons, Frederick, of New Gloucester, Bruce, and his wife, Pat, of Lovell, Harris, of Bell, Fla., and Irving Jr., and his wife, Robin, of Fryeburg; her daughters, Roberta Hopler, of Fryeburg and Sarah Clemons, and her husband, Michael, of Jackson, N.H.; her brother, Thomas Hutchins, of Fryeburg; and her sister, Joyce Foley, of Limington; as well as 14 grandchildren and their families; 15 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; and 10 nieces and nephews and their families.

Violet was predeceased by her husband, Irving; her sisters, Esther Eastman of Springvale, Dorothy Morin of Limerick, and Hannah Hodsdon of Fryeburg.