Olive Elaine Hillier

1938 - 2018

On July 18, 2018, Olive E. Hillier, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend entered eternal life at the age of 79 years surrounded by her family at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans.
Olive will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 58 years, Dale and their children Dorothy (Tommy), Paula, Sam, Dale, and Patrick (Cindi). She is survived by six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, sister Victoria, and brothers Joe (June), and Kenneth (Gerry), sister-in-law Carole, Liz, and Judi (Larry), and brother-in-law Kenneth. Olive will also be forever remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her sister Audrey, brother Jack, and son-in-law Jack.
Olive was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada on September 6, 1938 to James and Helen Breckenridge. Her family owned a neighborhood grocery store. She met her future husband Dale in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. The story of their courtship is they swam across the St. Mary's River in order to date each other and were married March 1, 1960. They raised their family in northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. She worked at Montgomery Wards and Marquette General Hospital.
Olive was a fanatical Green Bay Packer fan and loved dressing up and decorating for the games. Her hobbies included baking, cooking, knitting, playing board games and was considered the family Scrabble champ!
Olive lived the Gospel; she loved God and loved people. Her door was always open and she never met a stranger. Olive never let you go hungry and always had something sweet to go with a cup of coffee. She called when she was thinking about you and often sent a note just to say hello. In every way she placed others above herself (sometimes to a fault). She will always be remembered as someone who readily expressed kindness and served others.
There will never be another like Olive and her absence leaves a hole in the hearts of all those who loved her. Weeping and sorrow may last for a while, but her joy has come and we know ours will soon follow.
The family of Olive Hillier would like to thank the staff at DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans and Lake Superior Hospice for their care and compassion.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Baptist Church, Marquette, on Saturday, August 4, at 11 a.m. The family will greet guests at a reception in the church fellowship hall following services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans Activity Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855.
The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderfuneralhome.com