Tribute

We are saddened to announce the passing of our wonderful Mom, Granny, Great-Granny & Aunt. Olive was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan to Archie & Annie Gerow, the youngest of 8 children. The family moved to the Peace Region near Grande Prairie, AB in 1930 to homestead. She grew up there, and when she finished school, taught in a one room school house until she moved to Kimberley in 1948 to be near her sister, Peg Lowes (Frank). Olive worked for many years in the housekeeping department of the Kimberley Hospital, up until her retirement at age 65. Gardening was her passion, and her home was surrounded with flower beds and hanging baskets every year. She always had a huge vegetable garden as well as a greenhouse, and shared her crops with friends and family. Mom was a strong, independent and loving lady who was loved by all that knew her.

Olive is survived by her four children – Rosanne Dufresne, Jeanne Taggart (Barry), Donna Hoglund (Erik), and Dan Dufresne (Terry), as well as 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her so dearly. She loved playing cards, crib or scrabble with all of her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by Barbara, Lawrence & Bryan Lowes, her niece and nephews that were more like her children, as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Olive was predeceased by her parents Archie & Annie Gerow, her 7 siblings, the father of her children Rolland Dufresne, and her son-in-law Doug Sinclair (Rosanne).

A celebration of Olive’s life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Kimberley Fellowship Baptist Church “Local Missions”, or a charity of your choice.