Violette Ruth Delp Johnson

Violette Ruth Delp Johnson, 89, of Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at Pleasant View Retirement Community after a short illness.

She was born in Lancaster, PA on October 13th, 1922, to the late Mary Elizabeth Murry and the late Mahlon S. Delp.

Violette grew up in Manheim Township where she enjoyed spending her childhood outdoors. She graduated from Manheim Township High School in Neffsville, PA. As a student she was an excellent athlete, earning high school letters in field hockey, basketball, and baseball. After high school she attended Linden Hall School for Girls, in Lititz, PA.

Upon graduation, Violette worked in the Judges office of the Workmen’s Compensation Bureau in Lancaster. She later moved to North Jersey where she was the National Personnel Director for Safeco Insurance Company, a position she dearly loved.

Violette was very active in organizing the Junior Group of the Women’s Republican Club in 1944 which was the largest group in the entire state. She also helped in setting up “The Store” in conjunction with the Heritage Center Museum where she served as a volunteer sales person.

She was a member of Cliosophic Society, Lancaster Historical Museum, Women’s Republican Club, Lancaster Aero Club, Lancaster Heritage Museum, the Devon Horse Show, where she served as Chairman of Hospitality for 25 years; the Lancaster Horse Show, and the Pittsford, New York Horse Driving Competition where she served for 25 years as Assistant Secretary.

In 1942 she received her pilot’s license and in 1944 flew in the first International Air Race from Montreal, Canada to Miami, Florida.

She is survived by a niece, Mary Elizabeth Walsh of Raleigh, NC; and a nephew William F. DeLong III of Manheim Township.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Dorothea M. DeLong; her brother, Mahlon Delp; as well as husbands, Walter A. Blair and Edwin G. Johnson.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service at St. Peters United Church of Christ at 816 Buchanan Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603, (the corner of Buchanan Avenue and College Avenue) on Friday May 25th, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. with the Reverend Bonnie Hollinger officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Interment will be private at Conestoga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Peters United Church of Christ.