Nicholas, Olive Blanche

 

Olive passed away peacefully at Strathmore Hospital on February 24, 2011. She was born on January 29, 1914 to Laura Brown (nee Mould) and William Brown of Lockwood, Saskatchewan. She is survived by her daughters Leita (Roger) Schmidt, Nola (Gerald) McLaren and Bev Nicholas; grandchildren David (Bonnie) McLaren, Valerie McLaren, Niki (Marvin) Vlooswyk, Michael Schmidt (April Andrews) and Steven (Natalie) McLaren; great grandchildren Kelly and Spencer McLaren, Brittany and Victoria Setz, Garion Steele, Connor, Catherine and Brodie McLaren. Olive’s early life was spent in the Lockwood area. Because her mother died shortly after Olive’s birth, Olive was raised by her maternal grandparents and her father. Olive attended Floradale School, then Bedford Road Collegiate and the Provincial Normal School in Saskatoon. Her first teaching positions were in Haliburton and Floradale Schools in Saskatchewan. Following this, she travelled to Gleichen to visit her aunt and uncle, Ada and Billie Halstead. When an opening became available at Yule School, Olive taught there and lived in the teacherage with her Grandma Mould. It was during this time that the “visit” turned into the “rest of her life” because she met her future husband, John LeRoy Nicholas. They were married in 1938 and lived on the farm that LeRoy was purchasing from his parents. During their 62 year marriage they expanded the farming operation and raised three daughters. After LeRoy’s death in 2000, Olive moved to Strathmore. There she greatly enjoyed the company of old and new friends. For 95 years Olive enjoyed good health. In 2009, when she could no longer live independently, she moved to Wheatland Lodge where she spent pleasant days in the care of staff and the company of other residents. Olive’s favourite things were meetings, community service, family celebrations, acting and singing. She was very involved in the community and held executive positions in many organizations including U.C.W., F.W.U.A., Unifarm, W.I., Home and School, United Way, Historical Society, Gleichen/Cluny Jubilee Club, Gleichen Fair Committee and United Church Presbytery. Olive greatly enjoyed being a long-time member of the Gleichen/Cluny Community Choir. When she moved to Strathmore she joined the United Church Quilting Group, the United Church Mary Marthas, and the Red Hatters. Throughout her life Olive was a social being who welcomed strangers and friends alike to come in and share “a cup of” and have a visit. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the Gleichen Community Hall at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Fergus Tyson and Reverend Hector Rose officiating. Interment to follow at Gleichen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Wheatland Lodge (76 – 2nd St., Strathmore, T1P 1J8), Strathmore Hospital Palliative Care Unit (200 Brent Blvd., Strathmore, T1P 1J9) or to a charity of your choice. To send condolences, please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca. WHEATLAND FUNERAL HOME LTD. (Strathmore) in care of arrangements. 403-934-5666.