Sally Anne Oliver

We are blessed to share Sally Anne Oliver’s (Blay) life journey. Sally passed away peacefully on December 4, 2020 at the age of 83. She was born in London, Ontario (Middlesex Co.) on May 24, 1937 to Reginald Mott Blay and Vivian Catherine Blay (Munro). Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Gerald (Jerry) Oliver, her parents, brother Bill Blay, sister Marilyn Zapel, grandson Jake Gerald Oliver and son-in-law, Kelvin Wiebe. She is survived by her four children, Scott Oliver (Denice), Karen Oliver (Paul), Forde Oliver, Kelly Wiebe (Kelvin); 5 grandchildren, Kyle Wiebe (Audrey), Kris Wiebe (Ali), Kari Kitt (Jeff), Corey Kitt, Nick Oliver (Alexandra): 4 great-grandchildren, Danilynn and Korbin Wiebe, Jackson and Jordan Derouin, and many special family members and friends.

Sally attended school in London, Ontario and grew up on a farm, making many memories with her parents, sister Marilyn and brothers Gerry, Bill, Paul and Tom Blay. At age 15, she met the love of her life, Jerry Oliver, and they were married on August 24, 1957. They were blessed with four children; Scott, Karen, and twins Forde and Kelly.

Sally became a hair dresser when Jerry was pursuing his college degree and football career at Clemson University. After graduating from Clemson, Jerry’s degree landed him a job opportunity as a Master Brewer at Labatt’s Brewery in Winnipeg and that is when they packed up the family and moved west where they raised the family throughout their lives. Sally was instrumental in helping Jerry launch the family business, JKS Company Incorporated of Winnipeg. They worked alongside each other for 18 years until Jerry’s retirement from JKS. It was at that time that Sally decided to pursue a different career and opened up a daycare. With the growing need for childcare in the area, she provided a second home for many children while their parents were at work. She cared for the children of Sally’s Daycare like they were her own and taught them many life lessons in the sandbox. Sally retired in 2001 and spent much of her time in retirement enjoying the things she loved the most.

Throughout her life, Sally enjoyed their family time at the cottage they built together on Lake of the Woods in Echo Bay, Ontario. At the lake, she enjoyed fishing the most and spending time with family and friends. Sally and Jerry both looked forward to their annual visits out east to visit family in Ontario. She also loved all the many adventures traveling to football and hockey games to support her children and grandchildren in their sporting events. Sally was extremely competitive and was often known to confront the referees on some of their questionable calls. She was an avid Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bomber fan and rarely missed the chance to cheer for her hometown teams. Sally also loved the outdoors and sitting outside admiring her flower garden.

Sally’s greatest love was the life she shared with her family. She taught them there is nothing more important than family. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, positive spirit, unconditional love, and her sense of humor. Sal will be forever in our hearts and we miss her every day. There is a saying, “Loving you changed our lives. It should come as no surprise that losing you has done the same”. We will always be grateful for how you taught us to live our lives.

Our family would like to thank all of Sally’s special family and friends who were such a meaningful and memorable part of her life journey.

A private family service celebrating Sally Oliver’s life will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Green Acres Funeral Home, Winnipeg, Manitoba.