Irene B. Oliver

On Friday, April 10, 2020, Irene B Oliver passed away peacefully at her home in Gates Mills, Ohio under hospice care and surrounded by her immediate family. Irene was 84 years old. She was born in Berlin Germany (parents Helmut and Annamarie Brabant nee Briske) in 1935 and came to the United States in 1949 after surviving WWII as a young girl. Upon her arrival in the United States, she attendedRoxborough Junior High and Cleveland Heights High School, learning English when she arrived. She then attended Nurse’s training at Lutheran Medical Center earning her RN degree. While in nurses training, she made lifelong friends, whom she frequently visited throughout her life. At that time, she also met the love of her life, Walter H. Oliver with whom she had been married for 62 years.

Irene is survived by her husband Walter and two of her daughters, Susan Oliver Dahod (Samun) and Barbara Oliver Harrington (Richard). She was predeceased by her daughter Kathryn Jean Wilber (Daryl), her brotherJohn Brabant, her parents, and her in-laws, Harvey G. Oliver and Marjorie Oliver (nee Dunmore). Also surviving Irene are her grandchildren, Christopher G. Wilber (Ciara), Michael D. Wilber, Matthew T. Wilber, Elizabeth D. Godin, Jennifer M. Godin and RebeccaL. Godin, step-granddaughter Haley Jaynes Wilber and great- granddaughter, Makayla K. Wilber. Irene also had nieces and nephews who adored her.

Irene was an amazingly strong, kind, loving, caring and thoughtful woman. She was an active volunteer in her community as a member of the Gates Mills Garden Club, Community Club, Art Show Patron, Land Conservancy and Historical Society, just naming a few. She loved her home and community in Gates Mills, beautifying her property with ornamental gardens and also balancing it with amazing wildflower canvas with Forget-me-nots and Ajuga. Her hillsides were carpets of purple and blue in the spring. Irene loved feeding the native birds. Filled feeders have surrounded her home for decades attracting an endless variety of native songbirds. Her home was a virtual nature preserve.

For the early part of Irene’s married life, she was a stay-at-home mom raising her daughters, volunteering for Parent-Teacher organizations and the American Red Cross along with the some of the other organizations already mentioned, and in 1977 she started full-time, working her way up to a head nurse with the American Red Cross’s Bloodmobilesfrom which she retired in 1993. There too, she made great lifelong friends.

Travel also held a special place in Irene’s heart, especially to the Florida Keys. For many years, she and her family traveled to the Keys, enjoying, boating, fishing, snorkeling and even treasure hunting. She visited Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, the Western United States, Puerto Rico and returned multiple times to her homeland and relatives in Germany and western Europe.

Irene’s greatest passion was her friends and family. She cared for, loved and supported her children and their families unconditionally. Her close friends (of which she had many) she held dear. Many would just stop by and pay her a visit; moments she cherished. She was straight forward, honest and loving. She and Walter were/are two amazingly kind and pure hearted people. Her presence will be dearly missed by many.

In 1956, Irene was diagnosed with Type-1 (Juvenile) diabetes. When she was first diagnosed, she was told she wouldn’t be able to have children, she defied that. She successfully kept defying many odds for 64 years with very few side effects. Because of this battle, we ask that in lieu of flowers, you donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

And finally, Irene had a love for Art. Anyone who has visited her home, saw her passion. There are pieces she and Walter have collected throughout the years, covering their walls and beautifully displayed. For nearly five decades, Irene has been an active volunteer for the Gates Mills Art Show. She has set up, called artists, hung art and helped in the judging of the art show. The family is setting up an award in her name and donations again in lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to the Gates Mills Art Show.

With heavy hearts, at this time, memorial services will be delayed until there is a safer time to gather. At that time, the family will announce a date. However, on May 10, 2020, one month from her passing, and Mother’s Day, the individual families will be independently selecting a perennial or tree and planting it at their homes in memory of Irene. The family would love for all who knew her to participate. Please post a photo or note on the DiCicco & Sons Website https//www.diciccoandsonsfh.com

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