Viola Walley, 81, passed away Oct. 6, 2011, in Morgan Hill.
Born in Madrone, she was the youngest of nine children born to Daniel and Isabel Matranga on July 7, 1930. She grew up in Madrone and graduated from Live Oak High School.
Viola was well-known among the Morgan Hill business community and worked in many local businesses throughout her life, including the El Toro Shop. Her trays filled with Christmas cookies and fudge were often eagerly anticipated at local businesses during the holiday season as were her legendary enchiladas made from a family recipe developed by her mother. She also regularly attended Morgan Hill’s Annual Founders Day Dinner sponsored by the Morgan Hill Historical Society.
She was a passionate fan of Elvis Presley and made annual trips to Lake Tahoe to see numerous performances in the 1960s and 1970s. Known as the “Donut Lady,” she also frequented Morgan Hill’s Farmer’s Market as her health allowed, bringing donuts for the vendors.
She was preceded in death last year by her husband of 58 years, Walter “Barney” Walley.
She is survived by her daughter, Joan, her son, Wayne, grandchildren Jason and Mary Jane, two great-grandchildren, Viktoria and Xavier, her brother, Dan Matranga, and sister, Frances Broedlow, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 12-1:30 P.M. with a Funeral Service to commence at 1:30 P.M., both at Johnson Funeral Home, 17720 Monterey Street in Morgan Hill.
Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Viola’s name to: Community Solutions, PO Box 546, Morgan Hill, CA 95038.
