Olive Marion Lazzarotto (Turnross) passed away peacefully, in the early evening of Sunday March 22, 2020, in the presence of family, at Mount Cartier Court, Revelstoke BC. Olive is survived by her sons Lorne, Eric (Anne), Arne (Leslie), Norm (Julie), daughter-in-law Tracy, 9 grandchildren: Tadd, Christian, Erika, Martin, Jeff, Brooke, Brent, Justin, Ashley, 3 step-grandchildren: Kristin, Jessica, Kylie, 7 great grandchildren: Kody, Jacob, Alexis, Avery, Norah, Jack, Blake, 3 step-great grandchildren: Phoenix, Lincoln, Nevaeh, sister Lola (Chuck) Gallicano and numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband Armando, son Ralph, sister Phyllis and daughter-in-law Georgina.
Olive was the daughter of a pioneer family and lived her entire life in Revelstoke. She was born on December 2, 1925 and graduated from the local high school in 1943. She went on to work in Manning’s Restaurant, the orchards in the Okanagan valley to harvest fruit crops and later the local Post Office. In 1944, during the first Golden Spike Days in Revelstoke, Olive was crowned Golden Spike Queen and named Miss CPR. In 1947, she married her high school sweetheart, Armando (Mondo), and they were happily married for 67 years.
Olive loved reading a good novel and composing poetry about the family. She enjoyed playing duplicate bridge with her friends and participated in many local and out of town tournaments. She sewed many of her own clothes, was a smart dresser and her knitting produced several remarkable sweaters. With Mondo, they grew one of the finest gardens in the neighbourhood and her canning provided the family with vegetables all through the winter. She was a superb cook and baker.
It was important for Olive to celebrate with her children and grandchildren their life mile posts, their sports achievements and career successes. She was the family historian and communicator. She and Mondo attended and cheered at countless baseball and basketball games. She would craft interesting write-ups for the local newspaper describing exciting Little League baseball games and other worthy news about the family. She always had her camera handy, and never hesitated to take pictures at family events. Throughout her life she filled numerous albums with treasured photographs.
The CP Rail slow-pitch tourney each September long weekend was a highlight for her. Her sons, grandchildren and other family members played for the ‘Uncoachables’ team. It became an annual tradition for the family to gather at Emo’s restaurant following the tourney for an evening of close family kinship.
Their lakefront property on Mara Lake was a favourite gathering place for the family. She spent countless hours with Mondo over the years helping to develop and make many improvements to the cottage, ensuring that the family had a wonderful vacation every year.
In retirement, she and Mondo kept active, spending many enjoyable hours with friends and family on the golf course, curling rink and cross-country skiing runs in Revelstoke. She was an avid fan of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” and would chuckle if she knew a question the contestants were stumped on.
During her last few months, Olive resided at Mount Cartier Court, where she received dedicated care from their medical staff and that of Queen Victoria Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Kim Veale, Nurse Practitioner Ann Marie Gill and the nursing care aids.
Olive was a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Donations can be made in memory of Olive, to the Revelstoke District Health Foundation/Mt Cartier Court, Box 2421, Revelstoke, BC, V0E 2S0.
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in Revelstoke at a later date.
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