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The Passing of a Legend

Violet Redington

by Jo Wood

03/06/2006

If it is true that behind every great man stands an even greater woman, Violet Elizabeth Redington was living proof. From her birth on July 17, 1924 in Kintnersville, PA to her passing of cancer on March 4, 2006, Vi led a life of which most others could only dream.

   In 1948, with her husband, Ray Redington., his brother, Joe and his family, and his father James Wesley Redington, this self-described “little Pennsylvania girl” hit the road to Alaska with no other goal than to have a life of adventure.

   On the way to Alaska, they picked up their very first sled dog and hauled him all the way to “sunny Knik,” where they settled. But the marriage of Vi and Ray wasn’t to be, and finding herself single, she and Joe decided on February 18, 1953, in the Wasilla Post Office with Postmistress and Magistrate Mae Carter officiating, to see if they could make a go of marriage.

   Not only did they make a go of it, but together they single-handedly put the sport of dog mushing on the map.

   Many stories have been told of Joe Redington, Sr.’s exploits and through it all, Vi Redington was his strong right arm.

`   Following one of several plane crashes, when Joe was missing for a few days, Vi was asked if she was worried. Her reply both typified her confidence and her husband and her unflappable nature: “Oh, I’m not worried. If the crash didn’t kill him, he’ll be all right.”

   Vi followed Joe as dog musher, homesteader at Flat Horn Lake, traveler ( to support Joe’s mushing habit, of course) to the Alpirod in Europe, to Great Britain, and most notably, to Nome, Alaska.

   Through all of Joe’s seemingly harebrained schemes, Vi kept her mouth shut and just nodded, smiling the smile that lit up everyone who came within range. In even the worst moments, her most aggressive comment was “Good grief!” But her biggest test was yet to come.

   “A dog race to Nome is impossible” seemed to be the general consensus of everyone around. But a few hardy (many would say foolhardy) souls, led and inspired by Joe Redington, Sr. and supported all the way by Vi, made it happen.

   Vi’s activities outside the mushing realm included her employment as Registrar at Mat-Su Community College until computers came on the scene. Vi always hated computers. She was active in the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society, serving as its secretary for many years. Along with Joe, she formed the Iditarod Trail Blazers, the group largely responsible for the designation of the Iditarod as a National Historical Trail.

   One of Vi’s most memorable experiences came in 1981, when she and Joe, in their first formal attire, attended President Ronald Reagan’s inaugural ball, after Joe proudly mushed a dog team in the Inaugural Parade.

   Vi was pre-deceased by beloved husband of 46 years, Joe Redington, Sr., their son, Keith, and her parents, Milton and Cora Hoffman.

   She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Tim & Lorayne, Tom, Raymie & Barbara, Joee & Pam, and daughter, Sheila, and a sister, Myrle Ott. Her grandchildren include Laurie, Lisa, Joee Ray, Heather, Ray, Jr., Vernon, Ryan, Robert, Kerrina and Tommy Ray, Jerry and James, and great-grandchildren Justin, Wyatt, Robert, Raynee, and a great-granddaughter due any day, along with countless friends around the world and most especially, in the mushing community.

   A memorial service honoring and celebrating the life of this great lady will be held following completion of the 2006 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.