Members might remember this Songmaker member from years past who played violin.

Ventura County native Violet (Shellabarger) Shoemaker, (91), died in San Luis Obispo, California on March 2, 2024, after a brief illness. A life-long musician, she began on the violin at age 5. She graduated from Ventura High School in 1950 and continued on to UC Santa Barbara, obtaining a degree in Music as well as a teaching credential. Her primary instruments were violin, viola, piano, guitar, ukulele and oboe. She began her career in the Hueneme School District, teaching/conducting band and orchestra students at Blackstock Junior High School, then later Spanish, English and Social Studies. She always said she loved that age group the best. She also loved playing and teaching music (especially to her grandchildren), and singing old folk songs. A celebration of life will take place at a later time this summer. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made in her name to the Unitarian Church of Ventura or the local chapter of United Farm Workers (UFW).