Violet Breakey Memorial Fund
In September 2004, Frank and Eva Sissons, executors of the Violet Breakey Estate, presented a cheque for $240,874 to Brent Gilbert, President of the Community Foundation of Portage and District. An undesignated named fund has being established in her memory called "The Violet Breakey Memorial Fund."
In 1995, Mrs. Breakey quietly became a Founding member of the Community Foundation with an anonymous donation of $10,000. Eva Sissons says she followed the Foundation's activities closely over the years, liked the concept of the organization and decided to name the Foundation as a beneficiary of her estate. The $10,000 will be added to today 's donation making the named fund over $250,000. With her donation, the Foundation's Permanent Endowment Fund has reached a new high of over $1,017,500.
Mrs. Breakey was born in 1908 in Burnside, daughter of Nelson and Kate Graham. She received her education at the Burnside School, Portage Collegiate and Normal School in Winnipeg. She taught for 40 years with the Portage la Prairie School Division. Upon her retirement, she married James W, Breakey of Brandon and resided there until returning to Portage in 1985. Due to failing heath her remaining years were spent at the Douglas Campbell Lodge. She died on April 1, 2004 at the age of 96.
Vi was an active volunteer and a lover of people. She was a member of Trinity United Church and in 1962 served as Provincial President of the Business and Professional Club. Eva Sissons stated, " She had a wonderful memory and never lost her interest in friends, former pupils and the district in which she was raised."
Mrs. Breakey was also a philanthropist and her fund will generate approximately $8,800 in investment income annually that will be used in our community to help qualified recipients do their work today and for many tomorrows.