Olive Patricia Dawson
March 21, 1919 – June 27, 2019
Olive Patricia Parsons-Dawson
Thursday, June 27, 2019 marked the end of a generation in our family, as Olive passed away peacefully in Halifax, NS; with her daughters Mary and Anne at her side.
Olive’s life began over 100 years ago, in Saint John, NB, where she was the third of the seven children of Mary (Moore) and Samuel Parsons. Sister to Robert, Daris (Bill Tonner), Zita (Ernest Ferro), Maureen (Oscar Grandy), Marjory (Henri Pitre) and Donal. The family saw both the Depression and World War II, and endured their own tragedy of the loss of both sons. The five daughters pressed on to have careers,marriages and children. Olive’s devotion to her family was truly the foundation of her fascinating personality. In 19__ (49?) Olive married Reginald Omer Dawson, and went on to have daughters Mary (Gerald Power) and Anne (Scott Baltjes). Sadly, Reg passed away in 1970 and Olive never met another man who could measure up.
Olive enjoyed many activities, particularly theater, basketball and badminton in her youth, and engaged in numerous professions through the years, from Nurses’ Aid with the Red Cross in WW II, photo retoucher, photographer, and Art Curator. She was an active CWL member in Saint John, Moncton, and Dartmouth.
Her constant passion besides family was art. Olive’s portraits, drawings, and paintings made their way into many homes. She shared that passion by teaching art through the years, to all ages of willing students who were always amazed and delighted with what they could do with her enthusiastic encouragement. In the last few years, Olive was particularly thrilled to see some of that artistic talent emerging in her lovely great granddaughter, Amy. Sorry to say, it completely skipped the generations in between!
Olive was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. We were incredibly lucky to have her with us long enough to actively enjoy not just her grandchildren, Holly (Andy Garrett) and Zita (Scott Chouinard) but her great grandchildren, Eric, Amy, and Ryan, as well. Olive enjoyed shared holidays, travel, and many, many happy hours with them. She maintained a keen interest in her entire family and a favorite part of her 100th birthday celebration was the pictures and news from her nieces and nephews, who are spread across North America. There is no doubt that “Aunt Olive” has a special place in their hearts.
A long history of family card games, played under her parents’ roof, has extended into the 4th generation. While Olive enjoyed her bridge clubs through the years, it was obvious that her favorite games where the ones that included family of all ages. The tradition continues, often on the very same table where Olive ate, did homework, and played games with her brothers and sisters and parents.
It is hard for us to say good-bye to Olive; but we know that she was at peace and ready to leave this world, hopefully to be reunited with Reg and other loved ones in Heaven.
Incredibly generous to the end, she left a final gift to medical research, in hopes that her amazing brain can provide some insight that may help the rest of us in the future. An appropriate gesture from a woman who was fascinated with both science AND science fiction. Yes, she was a Trekkie!
Our family is marking her passing in private, but we welcome any memories you wish to share with us.
The only things Mom requested to honor her memory were, if you would like to have a mass said for her, please do so; take a walk, enjoy nature around you and hug your family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Olive Patricia Dawson March 21 1919 June 27 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia