Obituary of Viola E. Bricks

Viola E. (Rauber) Bricks, 102, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, August 17, 2015 after a short illness. Viola was born September 9, 1912 in Dansville, N.Y. She was the daughter of Stephen and Mary (Karlinofski) Rauber. The oldest of four children she attended Sacred Heart School in Perkinsville and St. Mary's in Dansville, N.Y. She later graduated from Dansville High School and at the time of her death was the only surviving graduate. Her first language was German, which became difficult for her with the advent of World War I. Her love of German influenced her granddaughter Stephanie’s study of the language and ultimate Fulbright Scholarship in Austria. She married Franklin (Sam) Bricks in 1944 and had six children. She has always been ahead of her time: she may have the longest driving history on record beginning with driving the family's Dodge touring car when she was twelve (before the time of driver's licenses), continuing to drive until the age of 99. She worked during the depression when few had jobs. She was the first female postmaster in Perkinsville and was a working mother long before it became commonplace. She continued to work as a postmaster for 35 years. For over a decade the post office was on the front porch of her home. While busy with work and activities, she still found time to be a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She sewed clothes, gardened and canned, refinished furniture, typed children's papers, bowled on several leagues, was the unofficial town historian and was actively involved in Sacred Heart Parish and The Golden Agers. She enjoyed traveling in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. When in her 80's she made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia. Viola was a kind, intelligent and caring woman who was noted for her patience, perseverance and unshakeable faith. Her grandchildren worshipped her and she was very actively involved in their lives. She will be remembered by all as a first-rate scrabble and Pinochle player and a lover of Bingo. A lifelong resident of Perkinsville, she was fortunate to live at home until she died. The women who helped care for her the last two and a half years loved her for her gentle nature and looked forward to spending time with her. She was pre-deceased by her small children, Franklin, David and Donald, her husband, Sam, her sisters, Helen Nagle and Florence Goodell and her brother Vincent (Grace) Rauber. Her loving family includes her daughter Joan (Bob Finley) Zone of Salt Lake City, UT, son Jerry (Sharon) Bricks of Perkinsville, daughter Barb (Charlie) Rathbun of Naples, grandchildren Stephanie (Dave) Klein, Jessica (Claus) Nielsen, Jeremy Bricks (Dan Flaherty), Joe (Melissa) Zone, Sam and Jake Rathbun and 10 great grandchildren as well as many devoted nieces and nephews. Viola’s family and friends may call Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00pm at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Viola Friday at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Church in Perkinsville. Committal prayers and internment will take place immediately following at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Viola E. Brick’s memory may be made to the Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572 or to Care First Hospice, 11751 E. Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830.