Jan 27, 2018
Olive Storey, our mom and a true lady of the North, left us on January 27th, fitting on Robbie Burns Day when all the bagpipes would be playing.
She died peacefully at Copper Ridge Place, which had been her home for ten years. Family and friends were holding her hands.
Olive was born in a small town in Saskatchewan in 1927 and grew up on the Prairie during the great depression. She married the love of her life, John Storey, after WWII in 1949. Dad worked for the Department of Environment and mom as a steno, and they were soon posted to the North. They travelled with a growing family to Fort Nelson, Coppermine (now Kugluktuk) and Port Hardy before settling for good in Whitehorse in 1959.
Olive worked tirelessly for her family and friends, her church and her community. Our home was always open and there was always room for one more at the dinner table. Our mom was too busy to be as creative as she wanted, but she made time to keep journals and wrote beautifully.
Olive was a striking woman, tall, elegant, loving and mischievous. She leaves many of us to walk in the world for her, six children, eight grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren (so far) as well as the many others, babies to elders, that she touched with her humour and generosity.
We are sure that our mom is now reunited with her beloved Big Daddy and is off on a new adventure.
A celebration of her life will be held in July 2018, when the flowers are abundant. The date will be determined and announced. Everyone who knew her and cared for her is welcome.
Thank you with all of our hearts for the excellent and caring staff at Copper Ridge Place.
Farewell Ms. Olivia, pioneer, partner, mother and friend.