Mrs. Opal M. Bailey

April 3, 1923 - March 24, 2013 (age 89)

Loving, kindhearted wife, mother, grandmother and friend best describes Opal. She was born in Union Station, Ohio (near Pataskala) to Margaret and Chalmers C Wylie, and she was named after her Aunt Opal (Margaret's sister) who was a strong influence in her life while growing up.

Opal had one older brother Chalmers P Wylie (former Lt. Governor and US Congressman (Worthington, Ohio), and two younger sisters, Georgia Miller (Hebron, Ohio), and Ramona (Cleveland, Ohio). (Chalmers and Ramona pre-deceased Opal).

Opal graduated from Pataskala High School in Pataskala, Ohio and later took college classes in home economics. Opal first met Kenneth, later to be her husband of 66 years, during a middle school dance. During high school, Kenneth and Opal's brother Chalmers became acquainted and Chalmers re-introduced Opal to Ken. Following Ken's return from military service in WW II, they were married at the Pataskala Methodist Church on June, 16, 1946.

Opal worked at The Columbus Depot (now called D.S.C.C.) during the war years and later was employed at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio. In 1949 Opal and Kenneth welcomed their first son, Kenneth Steven into the world and Opal quit working to become a full time wife, and mother. In 1951 a second son, Richard was born and in 1956 their first daughter Kathleen was born.

Opal and Kenneth moved from Columbus to New Albany, Ohio in 1959 after Ken was offered the position of postmaster of the New Albany Post Office. In 1961 their second daughter Julia was born. Opal and Kenneth became members of the New Albany United Methodist Church and both served as volunteers in the community. Opal worked part time in the Post Office during the holiday season and cared for other local children in her home to earn additional money for Christmas gifts and the family's vacations. Opal and Ken traveled during the summer with their children to various locations throughout the country. On one vacation, the Baileys visited the Cherokee Indian Village in North Carolina to expose the children to Cherokee Indian culture. (Opal has Cherokee Indian blood inherited from her father). At home in New Albany, Opal was a great gardener who enjoyed planting beautiful flowers around the home and growing a large vegetable garden. During the summers, Opal hosted many great dinners for family and friends, treating them with garden fresh vegetables, canned vegetables (from the garden), and delicious homemade pies. Opal was also a skilled seamstress who enjoyed sewing beautiful dresses for her daughters.

In 1970 Ken and Opal moved with their two daughters to Cincinnati, Ohio where Ken accepted a position at the Cincinnati Regional Post Office. A short time later in 1971 the family moved again to Arlington Heights, IL where Ken accepted a position at the Chicago Regional Post Office.

In 1983 Ken retired from the Postal Service and moved with Opal to Venice, Fla. Opal worked at J. Byron's Department Store in Venice as manager of the children's department. Kathy and husband Larry's (Bossert) first son Jeffrey was born in 1988 and Opal kindly offered to care for Jeffrey while they continued to work full time. In 1990 Shawn was born to Julie and husband Chris (Krajic). Again Opal offered to care for Shawn while they continued to work. Six months later, Jason was born to Kathy and Larry. Opal now cared for all three of her young grandchildren, but also received part-time assistance from a dear young lady named Terah. In 1996 Cory was born to Julie and Chris and again Opal cared for him in her home. Opal continued to care for her four grandsons through the time they started school.

Ken and Opal enjoyed traveling to visit their son Steve and his wife Gissel (California) and son Rick and his wife Jane (Colorado) and their nine grandchildren (Lance, Michael, Adam, Meghan, Kristen, Justin, Jarryn, Jordan, and Jansen) and four great grand children (Donovan, Brennon, Austin, and Ryan). They also travelled to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe and France.

In recent years, Ken suffered from dementia while Opal provided care for him in their home. During his last year and a half Ken lived at Clare Bridge assisted living in Venice, Fla. where Opal drove every day to visit with him and bring him a favorite chocolate candy or milk shake. Last April, a few days following her 89th birthday, Opal suffered a stroke while preparing for a medical procedure. Since that time, Opal had struggled to regain her strength and independence again. On October 20th 2012, Ken passed away to be with The Lord. Opal's health continued to decline after Ken's passing. Opal lived at Village on the Isle in Venice, Fla. where she received loving care until her death on March 24th. Opal had regularly attended Grace United Methodist Church in Venice and she continued to attend until her health was prohibitive.

Service to others has always been a priority in Opal's life. Friends and acquaintances have always described Opal as the sweetest lady, who never complains, is always kind and who always has an encouraging word to share. She claims her faith in God through prayer has enabled her to cope and carry on in any difficult situation.

She will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends.