Dory Oliva

Life Reflection & Journey

Dory (née Adoracion Banzon Yutuc) was the second of eight children born to Lorenzo Sr and Candida (née Banzon) Yutuc in the Philippines. Because of the nature of pastoral calling, the family moved frequently during Dory’s early years. When she was nine, World War II broke and she and a younger brother survived the great 65 mile Bataan Death March during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines.

In March 1955, Dory graduated with a Bachelors of Science, Medical Technology degree - the first class in the country - from Adventist University of the Philippines (formerly known as Philippine Union College). Fourteen months later she wed the love of her life, Vel Oliva (a med tech cohort). Not long after, they began building the next generation of Oliva’s (Ronald Rene,1958 and Yvonne Jo, 1962). In the winter of ‘64, Dory had a ‘Go East’ yearning and migrated the family from saucy Pasay City to a frigid Toronto suburb where their last child was born (Ian Clyde, 1965). However, Loma Linda was where Dory’s heart was called, so with Ford filled with gas, the young family of five made the long trek to sunny Southern CA. In 2002, Vel and Dory packed up a 53 foot container and made their way to their final home in Las Vegas NV.

Combined, they dedicated nearly 100 years of service to their profession. Dory and Vel were happily married for 58 years before Vel passed on May 4th, 2014.

Dory found delight in: a good gathering (defined by the yummy home cooked dishes created by the Yutuc siblings); being Lola to six ‘amazing’ grandchildren (and one great-grand); cherished and nurtured lifelong friendships; collecting elephants; exploring foreign lands with friends; floral arranging; real estate (owned multiple apt complexes); sewing; sharing batches of her infamous banana chips; shopping; singing with the sibs; summer road trips in the family wood paneled Chrysler Town & Country station wagon; watching Family Feud and living the Vegas life!

Most of all Dory loved her Lord and Savior, who gifted her a full and adventurous 92 years. In turn she is loved and survived by many including:

Children: Ron, Jo & Ian

Grandchildren: Evan Scott Oliva, Ryan James Oliva, Aaron Cole Oliva, [Donald] Dominic Dawkins, Dylan Alexander Dawkins and Savanah Quinn Dawkins

Great-grandchild: Link Oliva

Daughter-in-law: Karen Oliva (née Skyberg)

Son-in-law: Donald Dawkins

Three siblings:

Rhodora, Ida and Lorenzo Jr

and a slew of cousins, nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, in-laws (and a whole host of merry outlaws):

WE MISS YOU for this moment in time, MOM/LOLA/AUNTY/SISTER/FRIEND - cannot wait for Resurrection Day!