Linda Viola

Posted on August 30, 2021

Linda Viola, 81, a longtime resident of Perry, passed away on Aug. 25, 2021, in Madison.She was born Oct. 22, 1939, in Palisades Park, N.J., to William Watson and Annetta Peckworth Marvel.Her father died when she was five years old, so for many years it was just her and her mom.Growing up, she was a huge fan of Marlon Brando and even skipped school to go watch “On the Water Front” being filmed near her hometown in New Jersey.She married Edward Viola in New Jersey in 1961. She was a dedicated mother to their three children, Eddie, Dawn and Mark, and was often heard saying they were her life’s biggest accomplishments.She helped out at Eddie’s football games, was an assistant coach on Dawn’s cheerleading squad and was involved with Mark’s Cub Scout group.Her home was always a hub of activity for her children and their friends, with lots of laughter filling every room.Linda was known for saying exactly what she thought, never pulling punches or sugar coating anything. You were never in the dark about how she felt.Some underestimated her, but the scattered-brain behavior and dinginess was an act — she was as sharp as a tack and very smart. She just liked to keep people on their toes.  An avid sports fan, she followed football and baseball like a pro, especially the Oakland, Los Angeles and now Las Vegas Raiders, as well as the Atlanta Braves. She also loved to pay pinnacle and poker.Although not Italian, she was known for her sauce and baseball-sized meatballs.Her favorite color was green, although everything she owned was blue.  She was well-known as the “sweet lady at the bakery in Winn Dixie,” where she worked for more than 20 years. She called her kids “Pumpkin,” as well as all their friends, and everyone she met was “Love” —  that’s why some of her friends called her “Linda Love.”Linda was never afraid of anything, except maybe a thunderstorm. It was nothing for her to ride an 80 mph roller coaster, go tubing down the river or snowmobile riding as fast as she could.She was an avid reader and loved cats. She also liked to travel and go to the beach and being on the water.She was of the Episcopalian faith.Linda was preceded in death by: her husband, Edward Viola; her son, Eddie Viola; her parents, William Watson and Annetta Marvel; two grandchildren, Jennifer Catelyn Taylor and Matthew William Taylor; and her cousin, Annellen Roman.Mrs. Viola is survived by: her children, Dawn Viola (Juan) Perez and Mark Viola; four grandchildren, Kevin Murray, Ashley Viola (Michael) Vernese, Casey Viola and Tara Viola; and two great-grandchildren, Zane and Loralei Vernese; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, at 4 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home of Perry with James Taylor officiating. Interment services will follow immediately afterward in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 3-4 p.m.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory be made to Hearts for Hometown Dogs.All arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry. Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.