Viola Thacker

Viola Annetta (Wiltshire) Thacker was the oldest child of the late Bindley Ashton Wiltshire and Hilda Annetta (Jordan) Wiltshire, both of Barbados. Viola and sister Dorothy Eleanor Wiltshire Jackman were born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts.

Viola attended Boston Public Schools and graduated from the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in 1944. She then went to work for the United States Navy as a Secretary/Clerk, while taking business courses and preparing herself for Civil Service positions.

Viola went on to work in offices at the Massachusetts State House. Her mother Hilda also worked in the State House from 1925 to 1967. At the height of the polio epidemic, the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital was built to serve patients who suffered from this terrible disease.

 Viola went to work at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, in the office personnel on the very first day of 1953 and remained there until she retired in 1991, serving 38 years. For the last 15-20 years, she was the Director of Personnel.

Viola was well known, loved and respected, both in the hospital and community. She provided employment opportunities for hundreds if not thousands during her tenure there. Her positive attitude, gracious character and masterful skills created a welcoming environment both in her office and throughout the hospital.

 Viola also worked for the Massachusetts Civil Service Administration. For over 40 years she was a facilitator for exams and administrator of multiple exam sites annually, two or three Saturdays a month from September to June.

 Viola was an active member of St. Cyprians Church. Her grandparents, James and Millicent Jordan were founding members in 1913, and her mother was very active in the church and with the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The congregation has been a supportive blessing to Viola and her family during the 3 years she had been hospitalized. They always came to visit, offer communion, sent cards, and food and made calls.

 After she retired, Viola went to work with her cousin Elma Lewis of the National Center of Afro American Artists (NCAAA). Viola worked with the staff of the annual production of Black Nativity from 1991-2015, and continued to do whatever she could to help, even when she could not be physically present.

 Viola was also active with the Goldenaires, AARP, and other senior groups and activities throughout her retirement years. Viola loved to travel and had subsequently visited many parts of the world. As a Barbadian descendant, she has vacationed in many countries and islands of the Caribbean. She has cruised the Mediterranean, Alaska, and Hawaii.

 Viola Wiltshire married William O. Thacker in 1966. In passing Viola leaves to remember her life, her daughter Dianne Elizabeth Wiltshire, her son Mark William Thacker. Four grandchildren, Mark, Michelle and Tre-Elle Thacker and Bianca Greene-Holloway, and 9 great-grandchildren. She also leaves her sister Dorothy Wiltshire Jackman her nephews Bindley , Ashton, Sloane, Harvey Reed and her niece Lynn Raquel Sloane, many cousins and extended family in Boston, New York and the Caribbean, and many friends she greatly loved.  She is predeceased by a brother, Sydney Henry and a sister, Betty Wilkey.

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