Olive Edith McCuaig

Feb 1, 1938 – November 6, 2023

It is with great sadness we report that Olive slipped away from this world in the early hours of November 6, 2023. She was predeceased by her Husband Bill, her parents Olive and Harry and her sister Shirley. She will be remembered by everyone who knew her and missed most by the loves of her life, her children, Kathleen (Barry) and William.

Olive was born and raised in Vancouver. She loved to work with her Dad in his garden and hid away in her secret tree fort. Olive excelled at school and was proud to study at the new Gladstone School where she served on the student council, organized many school events and even helped design the school ring. After graduation, Olive married Bill and they settled in Burnaby, where they raised their 2 children. Olive had always wanted to be a teacher so it is no surprise that she was a second Mom to many of the neighbourhood children. Olive was very fond of spending time with her next door neighbours, Gerry and Lynn and their kids, Janie, Leanne and Carolyn (who she said was like an adopted third child). Olive was also famous for the Boxing Day celebrations she put on every year for her family, including her many dearly loved nieces and nephews.

During this period Olive also found time to work on her university degree part time by correspondence. Once her children were older, she returned to university as a mature student and completed her degree in English Literature. Olive and Bill also designed and built a beautiful home on Galiano Island and spent many happy hours there with their friends and family. She loved her tree fort house on the Island and the wonderful arbutus trees.

Olive was a passionate gardener following in the footsteps of her Dad, who won many awards for amateur gardening. She was at her happiest puttering in her garden and she also found time to volunteer on community projects, including the rhododendron garden at Deer Lake Park. One of her other passions was reading and she read the newspaper cover to cover every day and as many mystery novels as she could get her hands on.

Olive did not seek out the limelight but many were touched by her kindness and generosity. She always had time to listen and to lend a helping hand.

From part of a poem Mom wrote, “Take me to my childhood fort, forgotten until now. Softly, oh so very softly, peace”.

You are at peace now Mom and we will love you until the end of time.

Mom did not request a service and would ask that in lieu of flowers you make a donation to the hospital of your choice, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.