Obituary of Olive Lillian Alice Abbott

Olive Lillian Alice Abbott was born April 11, 1920 in Brentford, England to Alice and Arthur Bulley. When Olive was four months old they moved to Saskatchewan. At the age of nine they moved to the Peace Country. The Bulley family purchased a 1/4 section first in Alberta, then in Gundy, B.C. She completed the eighth grade and took grade nine by correspondence. After school, Olive entered the workforce, first at Henderson's farm north of Rolla as domestic help then as a nanny for a local Member of Parliament, Braden. She went on to work at the Pouce Coupe Hospital, where she was responsible for cooking and cleaning. About this time she started going with Sid Abbott, they had been neighbours in Gundy. They eloped on July 4, 1940. Olive and Sid went to work for a farmer near Grande Prairie for about a year. In 1943 they moved back to Sid's 1/4 section in Gundy. In December of 1943, Doreen was born followed by Marlene in January, 1948 and Dennis in November, 1952. Life wasn't all about hard work for Sid & Olive. They would often visit with neighbours and enjoyed getting together for country dances at the Old Hay's School House. In 1969, they sold the farm and moved to Dawson Creek. Soon Olive was working at the Windsor Hotel. Later, she went to Northern Lights College to upgrade her cooking skills, and then worked at the Co-op bakery for 9 years, when she retired. Olive and Sid loved to travel. They visited Hawaii, England, France, Bashford Springs, Arizona and Mexico. They also took in a couple of Bus tours, first to the Maritimes, then to Prince Rupert. After Sid passed away in 1996, Olive made a couple of trips with her children to Dawson City, Yukon, a train trip from Prince George to Vancouver, a couple of weddings in Mexico and Ontario then a trip to the Okanagan. Olive moved to Spruceland Manor after Sid's passing. She quickly settled in and made many friends. She spent a lot of time at the Seniors Hall playing crib and volunteering. She also loved to follow curling on T.V. and knit. Olive passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 in Dawson Creek at the age of 91 years. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 1:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Pauline Haycock officiated. Interment followed in the Gundy Cemetery. Olive was predeceased by her husband of 56 years; Sid, her parents, Arthur and Alice, six brothers and one son in law. She is survived by her children; Alan (Dianne), Doreen ( Leo), Marlene (AJ) and Dennis (Bev), sister's; Ruth and Ruby (Bob) Sipe, brother; Bob, sister-in-law; Maisie, eleven grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Olive to the South Peace Senior Citizen's Association #74, 1101 McKellar Ave, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2S2. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium.