Olive Adams

Olive was a long-term resident of Brentwood Bay, BC, but was born in Winnipeg Man., on what she called the ‘not so good side of the tracks’. She was one of 5 children raised by her Polish speaking mother, who had immigrated to Canada from East Galicia, at the age of 18, to start a new life. Mom had a very hard upbringing, but was not afraid of work as evidenced by her job riveting airplane wings during WW II. She moved to Vancouver after the war and obtained employment as a telephone receptionist and typist, convincing employers she could do anything. She was one of those intrepid people who climbed Grouse Mountain in the dark on Friday nights to the communal ski cabin, before there were lifts, once losing her way in deep snow.

As a prairie girl, the sea was not her favourite medium, but it played a huge part in her life. She met her future husband in Vancouver where he was apprenticing as a shipwright. Mom thought their relationship was over early on. Dave had taken her sailing and when they were returning to the dock, he told her to let go of the mainsheet but she was too scared and hung on “for dear life.” As a result, they crashed into another boat, requiring Dave to spend many evenings and weekends completing repairs for the other boatowner. However, Dave was a sure thing and after marrying in 1948 they left on Dave’s small sailboat for their honeymoon, crossing Georgia Straight in a gale. Olive and Dave moved first to Egmont, then to Pender Harbour for completion of dad’s shipwright apprenticeship, then to Brentwood Bay, where they eventually purchased and operated the Brentwood Boat Rentals beside the ferry wharf (1957 - 1972). They spent every penny they had for the purchase of the business; a boat rental on their first day of ownership allowed Olive to buy groceries for dinner that evening. They had a tiny residence atop the boat house with one bedroom for 3 kids. Mom raised a family, tended the books, operated the fishing tackle store and dealt with rental customers, making life-long friends of the many ‘regulars’. Often customers would ask for her help specifically, because she was so enthusiastic about what lure to use and where the best fishing was that day. Mom never fished but was almost always right. Mom and Dad worked in this business dawn until dusk, 7 days a week.

Olive and Dave had many friends in the Brentwood Bay area. They were active members of the Brentwood Badminton Club and had a wonderful circle of tennis players. Olive loved dancing and in later years took Dad to the Saanich square dance gatherings at Royal Oak, working hard to get dad to remember the moves. Olive cooked amazing dinners, and brought family and relations together with her wit, enthusiasm and empathy, and got everyone excited about watching NHL games. She was afflicted most of her life with severe asthma, but worked around it. Olive was treasurer for the Brentwood United Church. She had great sympathy for those less fortunate than her, giving generously to charities and often forgiving rent from her tenants of their two rental cottages. Whenever someone visited her she insisted on giving them something to take away

After retirement they moved across the Bay to Sea Drive and Olive encouraged Dave to follow his dream of blue water sailing. For many years they cruised the coast from Victoria to Alaska, often with their children and grandchildren as crew. Olive was a somewhat reluctant sailor, perhaps because she never could swim, even after taking lessons for many years at the former Crystal Gardens Pool in Victoria. They gave her money back after failing to achieve their ‘learn-to-swim guarantee’. However, Olive was the draw at every port of call as she attracted strangers and easily made friends with her warm, upbeat, bright and cheery personality. Olive and Dave’s first attempt to cross the Pacific ended in a shipwreck during a hurricane that hit Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 1982. This no doubt added to her phobia of the ocean, but they set out 2 years later and she and Dave made the crossing to New Zealand with her daughter, son-in-law and 6-month-old grand-daughter, having many adventures on the way.

After Dave passed away in 2003, Olive remained active. She kept up her bridge games and when she frequently won would say “I just received lucky cards”. At 80 she went on a cruise with a friend through the Suez Canal, went camel riding in Egypt and across the Indian Ocean, visiting the Taj Mahal. On a cruise to Alaska, she got on the tour bus in Skagway, sat in the driver’s seat, and said to the passengers, “I’m your new driver” which threw everyone into hysterics. Olive developed long term memory loss after a possible stroke in 2007. Even with forgetfulness she remained positive, caring, upbeat, quick with spontaneous jokes and thankful for all her care. When in long term care, first at Glengarry, then at Saanich Peninsula Extended Care Units, Olive loved to socialize and got up and danced whenever music was played– she had the moves! Many thanks to the staff at these care facilities who were so outstanding with their dedication and empathy, especially while dealing with Covid. The family particularly thanks Allan for all the support he provided Mom while living next to her for 10 years, looking after her care and property.

While Olive will be greatly missed, her strength, courage, positive attitude and sense of humour will continue to inspire her family. Olive is survived by her sister Jean Drepko, her children Robert (Tibbie), Allan (Molly) and Julia Grant (Paul); grandchildren James (Courtney), David (Trish), Erin McComb (Geordie) and Michael Grant (Baljit) as well as her great-grandchildren Aidric and Eily Mcomb and Malaya and Aaryan Grant. A celebration of Olive’s life will be held at a future date.