Violet Ray Caramella

Violet Ray Caramella, 35, of Fairview, NC, passed away on June 14, 2025, in Montreat, NC, during a firefighter UTV training accident while proudly serving her community.

Born on March 15, 1990, Violet lived a life rooted in compassion, courage, and creativity. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular Biology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She went on to work as an Advanced EMT and was training to become a firefighter, dedicating herself fully to helping others.

Violet was most at peace in the outdoors. She came alive in the forest, snorkeling at the beach, or searching for stones in a creek. She had a deep love for animals and spent her childhood surrounded by ducklings, goats, chickens, and more. Her creativity showed in everything she did, whether through her art, her green thumb, or her eclectic taste in music that spanned from bluegrass to Sleep Token.

She had a quick wit and a sarcastic sense of humor that could light up any room. Her presence was bold, funny, and unforgettable. Above all, Violet was a devoted and loving mother to her two children, the heart of her world.

She is survived by her husband, Juan Caramella; her daughter, Ava Ray Caramella (11); her son, Samuel Caramella (8); her sister, Glory Silwedel; her mother, Terri Lu Bencar; and her father, Darryl Silwedel.

A Firefighter Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 28 at Trinity of Fairview Church and will be streamed live via the Trinity of Fairview website (www.trinityoffairview.com). Her family will greet friends from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Saturday at the church, followed by an hour-long break from 1:00 until 2:00 PM to rest and eat lunch.

A Celebration of Life will follow from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. Friends, family, and coworkers are invited to come together to share stories, remember Violet, and celebrate the incredible light she brought to the world.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through the family’s GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/e0a93e29) to support celebration of life expenses, her children, and a memorial trip to spread her ashes in the places she loved most.

Violet was lovingly known as Sunshine to her fire department family, and that is exactly what she brought to the world. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.