Olive Mary Roach

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Olive, a much loved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend on March 11, 2011 Olive was born in Winnipeg on February 7, 1920, the 6th of a family of 7 children, She was predeceased by her brothers, George and Noel Black, sisters, Maude Dexter and Doris Church, and son Robert. She will be missed by husband of 65 years, George Leslie, her sisters Edna Baxter and Violet Lawrence, daughter Donna (Hans) Vavrik, son Larry (Lynn) Roach, grandchildren Stephen and Anne Vavrik and Christopher, Andrew and Michelle Roach, and her nieces and nephews.

Olive and Les were married in Winnipeg and then moved to Vancouver where their 3 children were born. Over the years Les's career in the retail business took them to Masset, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Ucluelet and Port Alberni. After retirement they lived in Richmond, Burnaby and Port Alberni. Olive had a cheerful personality and always saw the best in everyone. She had a knack for making friends and keeping in touch with them and family with wonderful, humorous letters. She and Les enjoyed travelling and made trips to Europe and England and spent many winters in Arizona and for the last few years in Honolulu where they had a wide circle of friends from Canada and the U.S. Only a year ago, Olive was still swimming and tackling the waves on the beaches of Maui and Honolulu. Up until last September, she was entertaining friends and cooking family meals at home. The last month of Olive's life was spent at Ty Watson House, where she received wonderful, loving care. The family would like to thank the staff, care workers and volunteers for their kindness and compassion not only to Olive, but to the family as well.

A memorial service will be held at the Alberni Valley United Church on Church Street, on Saturday, April 02, at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ty Watson House or the Canadian Cancer Society.

This obituary was originally published in the Alberni Valley Times (Port Alberni, BC).