Obituary of Olivia Piper

GARNER/PIPER, Olive Aileen (nee Harvey) Passed away peacefully, supported by her family on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at the Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital, St. Catharines, in her 91st year. A memorial, conducted by her eldest son Rev. John Garner, will take place at Riverside Baptist Church, 11 Riverside Dr., Huntsville, ON, on Friday, June 17, with visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. and service at 3:00 p.m., with refreshments following. The George Darte Funeral Home, St. Catharines are handling arrangements. Olivia (as she liked to be called) was born to Alex and Ethel Harvey in Sundridge, Ontario on September 23, 1925, the eldest of three children, with her brothers Bob and Ben both predeceasing her. She was raised on the farm and the farm remained in her throughout her life. She could not drive past a barn without gasping ''Isn't that the loveliest thing." While working in Toronto, she met and married James P. Garner (1912 - 1976) and began raising a family, John, Steven, Connie, and Frances. In 1964 the family moved from Huntsville to St. Catharines where they bought a home in Port Dalhousie, (mostly because she fell in love with the maple tree in the backyard). Her life revolved around home making, children and Bethel Baptist Church where her faith, as well as many lifelong friendships grew. After the passing of her husband, Olivia married Rev. William Piper and she embraced his children Kent, Alan, Mark and Lois. This blended family blessed Olivia and Bill with 23 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and one on the way. Together, Bill and Olivia devoted themselves to God and others. They often traveled, sometimes for pleasure, sometimes on mission trips but mostly to visit their children and grandchildren who had spread across Canada and into the United States. After her husband's passing, Olivia eventually settled back in St. Catharines where the sisters of Mount Carmel Retirement Home lovingly cared for her. The family is very grateful to them for their kindness to her. Thank you to the staff at Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital who cared for our mother while she passed from this world into the next. The family also appreciates the care received while at NHS – St. Catharines Site, and the guidance, compassion, and competence of the staff at George Darte Funeral Home. In her 91 years, Olivia influenced and touched many lives. Her strength of character and wisdom has been a bedrock for family and friends on many occasions and her practical way of looking at life leaves us wanting just one more chat. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital- Palliative Care, or the Mount Carmel Retirement Home would be appreciated by the family. "But seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow." Matthew 6:33-34