Violet Berend, age 89, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

She will be remembered for her intrepid nature in the face of life’s challenges.

She was born November 6, 1936 in Hull, England, to Harry Carmichael and Gladys Margaret Carmichael. Violet was the ninth of eleven children, and her earliest years were marked by the hardships of World War II. With older siblings serving in the armed forces or evacuated, only Violet and her younger sister, Mary, remained with their parents through some of the worst bombings of the war. At the age of 8 she had her first taste of peacetime life.

At 15, upon graduating from high school, Violet began work as a junior clerk in Hull and, later, a bookkeeper in London. At 25, looking for opportunity and adventure, she emigrated to the United States in 1962.

Three weeks later, during a chance phone call, Violet spoke with Peter Berend on the phone. He was captivated by her voice and her English accent and asked her out. They married on July 6, 1963. They raised a family with three children in Wooster, Ohio. Violet and Peter were married for over 60 years until Peter’s passing.

Violet attended college at 42, fulfilling a lifelong goal and earning an associate’s degree in business administration. She made use of her managerial expertise and technical skills in the roles of mother, homemaker, and civic leader, fearlessly tackling word processing and then later home computing. She served as the secretary of several organizations.

As a girl, Violet aspired to be a writer, and she always had a way with words. She loved language. Well into her later years she enjoyed word games like Scrabble and did daily crossword puzzles. With family scattered far and wide, she was an accomplished correspondent who kept in touch with friends and relatives on four continents.

An avid gardener, she could be found most mornings tending to her flowers before breakfast. She was a champion for the most vulnerable, whether advocating for safer playgrounds or caring for the countless wild, stray, or injured animals who were lucky enough to cross her path. No stranger to hardship herself, she selflessly attended to others in their times of need.

Spirited, energetic, and kind, Violet was also very funny; her family will dearly miss her quirky, distinctly British sense of humor. She was an accomplished and enthusiastic hostess who loved to feed a crowd; many will remember her for hosting holiday dinners and baking delicious desserts. She found joy and laughter in unexpected moments, and she delighted in her family. Spending time with grandchildren was a highlight of her later years.

Violet’s family is thankful for many dedicated caregivers who gave her loving care and support during her final years.

Violet is survived by her children, Jennifer (Andrew) Giesler, Stephen (Cynthia) Berend, and Thomas Berend; and grandchildren, Amanda and Noah Giesler, Clayton Berend, and Jakob Berend. She is further survived by her sister, Joyce Joy; brother John Carmichael; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Carmichael and Gladys Margaret Carmichael; her husband Peter Michael Berend; brothers Harry, Norman, Stanley and Ralph; and sisters Daisy, Gladys, Doris and Mary.

Her family will announce a memorial service at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Violet’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association online (alz.org); Agrace Hospice (agrace.org); or Attic Angel (atticangel.org).

Please share your memories of Violet by posting in her guestbook.

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