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Aug 30, 1924 - Apr 1, 2018
Olive May Handley. Born Essex, UK, 1924 08 30. Died Victoria, 2018 04 01.

We have lost the light of our lives. Olive's charming smile, sparkling eyes and magnetic personality attracted people wherever she went, and her exceptional spirit and generosity shaped the lives of all who knew her. Olive grew up in England and Italy.

At 18, she became a code breaker at Bletchley Park. After the war, she trained as a nurse and midwife and then intrepidly emigrated to Canada on her own.

She nursed at a Red Cross outpost in Algonquin and later in Toronto before hopscotching her way to Nanaimo where she met and captured the heart and soul of her future husband, David.

She imprinted her children (Jennifer, Deborah, Alastair and Claire) and seven grandchildren (Eleanor, Alexandra, Rowan, Katherine, Harrison, Raphael, and Liam) with her values including compassion, integrity, self-determination, fairness, humour, honesty, love, and sense of adventure.

She lived a life of service in her career as a Home Care supervisor and, upon retirement, as a Senior Peer counsellor and trainer, and as a volunteer for both the Nanaimo Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.

Olive also lived her faith; a lifelong Christian, she was active in the evolution of a church that was more welcoming and reflective of a changing world. Blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, she sang in her church, other choirs and musicals for over 80 years.

At home Olive was a second mother to many, as well as a teacher, poet, actress, seamstress, knitter, and needlework artist. Late in life she painted water colours, and amazed us all by continuing after a stroke.

Above all, Olive is remembered for who she was and how she lived. She was interested in people, kind to all and helped many people who sought her help.

May we continue to live her values and honour her way of being in the world.

Memorial donations may be made to the Primate's World Relief and Development fund, Lutheran World Relief fund or charity of your choice.

Memorial services, at 2.00 pm, at St George's, Cadboro Bay on May 10 and Hope Lutheran, Nanaimo on May 17.



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