Olive Marie Valentine Davis

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Olive Van Dusen (Davis) on June 26th, 2025 at the age of 94.

Dear Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, we miss you so, already. Beloved wife of over 70 years to the late Jack Van Dusen. Much loved mother of Karl (Ann Simmonds), Darlene, Todd (Johanne Brassard), Lee and Lori (John Bertin). Dearly loved Grandma to Chelsea, Lorin, Justin, Jacquelyne, Trista, Stephanie, Nicole, Chase, Troy, Brooke, Madison and Jenna, and Great-Grandma to Oscar, Evie, Everly, Sullivan, Olivia, Greyson and Wrenn.

Daughter of the late Eric Davis and Lorette Davis. Predeceased by brothers Howard, Norman, Hector, Emmet, Donny, Billy and sisters Peggy, Marlene, and Lily, and granddaughter, Ashley Van Dusen.

Olive, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma - you were always the quietest person in the room, the most composed, the most gracious, humble, thoughtful and kind, a woman of a different age. As a young woman Olive played hockey, full regalia. We have the pictures. She loved to swim, in those days off of the Aylmer pier. And she sang, like an angel. She especially loved to dance, in an age when the weekend dances at the barn were the real event. And most especially, she loved to dance with the lean and handsome young journalist from Ottawa, young Jack Van Dusen.

Five children, a number of different homes, all in Aylmer, except for a very brief, painfully lonely stay in Toronto, they eventually settled for over fifty years in an old red brick, veranda-wrapped home in Aylmer. Mom was a Davis, a very large, very vibrant, very musical, rough and tumble Aylmer family. Eventually, when her own children were older and mostly self-sufficient, Olive took care of other people's children. This was her real expertise, especially the babies. Many children owe at least some of their well-adjustedness to her expert nurturing. Olive was a true, old-fashioned homemaker in the best possible sense of the word. She made a home for her family. She filled it with love and took special care of everyone and everything, especially, most especially, the food. There was always something lovingly prepared to eat, something delicious, filling, fresh, natural and healthy.

She was and remained a beautiful woman, pictures from the early years show a bright glowing smile, always fashionable, graceful and ever-so tastefully elegant. She took care of everyone, including her younger siblings. She held and nurtured all of her children through all of their growing up . . . through all of the inevitable ups and downs of life. She nurtured and encouraged all of us, and in spite of her own deep insecurities, she instilled strength, resilience and maybe most importantly, kindness.

What is it that makes for a meaningful life? Maybe, being strong, resilient and most importantly kind. Oh yes, and there is this, maybe most, most importantly, she loved, and was loved.

We miss you Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma . . . And we know, you're up there, somewhere, dancing and probably singing with Dad . . .

Finally, we know that Mom would want to thank the CLSC and La Maison des Collines in Wakefield for their compassionate care in the final difficult months, weeks and days of her full and rich life. Merci!

We will have a quiet gathering of family to celebrate Mom, as she wanted, but should you wish to make a donation, please do consider La Maison des Collines, a truly wonderful palliative care facility.

Love you, Mom.