BALTIMORE — Violet Ripken has passed away.
Baltimore Orioles fans knew her simply as "Vi," matriarch of the famous Ripken baseball family.
She died Friday, one day before her 83rd birthday.
Vi was a founding member of the Harford County Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club, where she'll forever be remembered as a legend.
"Her impact and her influence has resulted in the positive impact on thousands and thousands of young people’s lives in Harford County and beyond so it’s a true testament to her legacy and the person that she was, and the impact one person can have on an entire community," said Executive Director Derek DeWitt.
According to DeWitt, Vi and her late husband, Cal Ripken, Sr. were always there when needed.
"She and the late Cal Sr. would come into the club when we had pipes burst and they would help clean up. This is a family that literally gets their hands into their community and provides all that they can," said DeWitt.
On Monday, the Ripken Family released a statement thanking everyone for their support.
“We want to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of affection towards our mom and our family during this difficult time. Mom was an incredible woman who touched so many people throughout her lifetime. The void that she leaves in our lives cannot be filled but what she gave us has shaped who we are today and our memories of her will last the rest of our lives.”
Vi is survived by her four grown children; Fred, Elly, Cal Jr., and Billy.
Cal played 21 seasons for the Orioles and is nationally recognized as baseball's Iron Man. He's a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Billy also spent a portion of his decade plus major league career with the Orioles.
