Violet "Vi" Theresa Jennings

Violet (Vi) Theresa Jennings, 85, of Port Austin, Michigan passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025 at her winter residence in Rockledge, Florida. Vi was born on February 12, 1939 in Kinde, Michigan to the late Peter and Christina (Zimpkoski) Klosowski.  Vi graduated from the Port Austin High School and met her husband LeRoy Jennings while he was assigned at the Port Austin Air Force Station.  Vi and LeRoy were married on April 4, 1959 and would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year.  As an Air Force military spouse, Vi traveled the world with her family and lived in various locations including Biloxi in Mississippi, Cheyenne in Wyoming, Minot in North Dakota, Omaha in Nebraska, Madrid in Spain, and Fort Walton Beach in Florida.  Vi was deeply religious and while living in Spain, she traveled with family to Italy and they made a pilgrimage to the Vatican where the family received the blessing of the Pope’s Holy Water.  Vi also traveled to Austria, the Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, Honduras, and Mexico. After LeRoy retired from the Air Force, the family returned to Vi’s hometown of Port Austin, Michigan.  Vi was active in church activities at St. Michael’s Parish as well as in her community.  For many years she was a teacher’s aide with the preschool Headstart program at St. Michael’s and was affectionately called “Miss Vi” by her young students.  She was also employed as a cashier and produce manager at Mayes I.G.A.  Vi was a welcoming hostess who enjoyed entertaining; family and friends were always welcomed in her home.  She enjoyed tending to her flower gardens.  She loved to shop, whether it was for groceries, clothing, or a neighborhood yard sale.  Her strength and love enriched the lives of all who knew her and her memory will be forever treasured.

Vi is survived by her husband LeRoy Jennings of Rockledge, Florida; daughter Debora (Dennis) Jennings-Miner of Novi, Michigan; son Jeff (Terry) Jennings of Rockledge, Florida; grandchildren Joshua Miner, Peter Miner, Jamie Jennings, Jeremy (Anastasia) Jennings, Zachary (Brittany) Jennings, and Jessica Jennings; great grandchildren Skylar Jennings and Owen Jennings; siblings Robert Klosowski, MaryAnn Smith, and John Klosowski as well as many nieces and nephews.  Vi was preceded in death by her parents, her son Timothy Jennings, her infant sister Marlene Klosowski, her sister and brother-in-law Josephine and Paul Ottinger and sister-in-law Mary Klosowski.