Ollie (Olga) Willden
June 17, 1935 – June 23, 2016
Ollie (Olga) Willden passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side Thursday morning June 23, 2016, one week after her 81st birthday. With courage, fortitude and prayer she suffered through a three-year battle with cancer, always compassionate for the feelings of her family and visitors.
Born in Grand Forks, BC where she attended school, she then worked in Nelson and Edmonton before moving to live with her mother, Mable Makortoff, at her home in Midway in the Kettle Valley. Here she met and married Vincent, a cattle rancher. They were together 57 years.
She is survived by her husband Vincent; their two sons Geoffrey and Gregory; sisters Polly Oye (Shiro) and Helen Portelance (Joe); grandchildren Cassandra, Michael, Matthew, and Hannah; nieces and nephews Bonnie, Deanna, Mike MacCorby, Joe and Jim. Predeceased by her mother Mable and brother Mike MacCorby Sr.
In 1982, after they moved to Nanaimo, Ollie went into business, opening two chocolate/confections stores operating as Ollie’s Fine Chocolates for 16 years before taking early retirement and travel. She is still fondly remembered by many of her regular customers and past employees. She actively supported her church, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic, in Nanaimo and organizations assisting children and youth, particularly Covenant House, Chalice, Operation Smile, the Society of the Little Flower, and BC Cancer Agency.
She endeavored to live in the manner of the “Little Way” of St. Therese of Lisieux. This was reflected in her gentle, kind and cheerful manner. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends for whom she will continue to pray.
A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at St. Peter’s Church, 301 Machleary Street, Nanaimo. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Peter’s Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016. Reception to follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honouring Ollie’s memory by donating to one of the above charities.
Condolences may be offered by visiting
www.telfordsnanaimo.com