VIOLA LOUISE ("Vi") BRITTON (nee Collins), longtime resident of Olmsted Falls, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, December 4, at the Renaissance Health Center. She was born February 13, 1926, in Little Rock Arkansas, to parents Geneva Knight Collins-Lewis and John Collins. In 1944 Viola married the late Orville C. ("Brit") Britton. They were married for 66 years until his death in July 2011 and together raised three daughters in Olmsted Falls.

Viola is survived by her beloved daughters Linda Zinn, Mary Nix (David), and Marjorie ("Margie") Britton; her precious grandsons Tyler Britton-Zinn, David Aaron Nix (Kristin), and Jacob Alan Nix; her dear sister JoAnn Lawrence and dear brothers Harold Lewis (Mary Catherine) and David Lewis (Margaret); many nieces and nephews around the country, and many friends.

Viola will be missed by all who knew her, and she leaves a legacy of kindness and caring. She was a tireless advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as one of the first supporters she fought for children with disabilities to have the right to receive a free and equal public education. She was one of the first strong supporters of the adult training centers and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. In 1972, she cofounded West Haven Foundation, an organization established to create a home in Cleveland's western suburbs where adult children with developmental disabilities could live when their families could no longer care for them. She was a Life Member of the West Haven Foundation, and was the first recipient of their Community Leadership Award in 2006.

In 1979, West Haven established Welcome House, which opened its first group home in 1981 and has since grown to 32 residential sites serving more than 150 individuals. Welcome House Community Center, recently opened in North Olmsted, provides daytime activities for individuals with developmental disabilities who are not employed or who, because of aging or health issues, cannot participate in workshops or vocational training.
Viola's family would like to thank the staff of the Renaissance Health Center for the loving care they provided her and her husband before her.

Memorial Service Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. in the CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of NORTH OLMSTED, 29150 LORAIN RD. AT STEARNS RD., where friends may call SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1:00 P.M. UNTIL TIME OF SERVICE. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Welcome House, Inc., 802 Sharon Drive, Suite A, Westlake, Ohio 44145 (or please see www.welcomehouseinc.org for other ways to donate).