Obituary of C. Marina Oliver

Mrs. C. Marina Oliver wife of Ronald J. Oliver passed away peacefully at the Loch Lomond Villa on Friday January 24, 2014. Born on November 24, 1935 in Saint John, a daughter of the late Francis and Nora (O'Neill) Graham. Marina is sruvived by her loving husband of 55 years; her daughter Catherine Hill of Ottawa; two grandchildren Alexander Hill of Ottawa, and Erin Hill of Halifax; her brother Bart (Marjorie) of Saint John; one sister Martina (Donald) Dwyer of Rothesay; two brothers-in-law Vernon Oliver of Saint John; and William (Rolande) Oliver of Kingston, Ontario; two sisters-in-law Mary Ryan (Jim) of Fredericton and Lorna (Ron) Daigle of Saint John; Marina is survived by several nieces and nephews and cousins. Marina was predeceased by her parents. Marina is a lifelong resident of Saint John. She grew-up on the Old Black River Road on her parent’s farm. In her youth, she attended local schools and became a devoted member of Stella Maris Parish. Marina worked for Irving Oil and when she was 22 she married her lifelong partner Ron, or her special RJ. After getting married, Rena and Ron moved to City Line on the West Side and later to her current home on Dunn Avenue. Her home became her ‘special place’ and she ensured it became the centre of lots of activities for her family and friends. Rena had a reputation for loving to cook and entertain; always checking to make sure everyone had lots to eat. In her gracious way, Marina showed a great sense of kindness and generosity. She would never arrive at someone’s door without having something for them. Her life became devoted to helping others and to attending to their needs. For many years she cared for her elderly aunts, “Blanche and Hazel’, while at the same time working at the Turnbull Home in Saint John as a Dietary Aid. Marina always enjoyed travelling. In her younger years she enjoyed visits to her sister and other relatives in New York and Rhode Island. In later years she always was planning the next trip to Ottawa to see her grandchildren. Marina also enjoyed exploring the back roads of southern New Brunswick to places like Tracy, and the rural hamlets around the Sussex area, especially the area of her mother’s ancestors around the Head of Millstream. In 2006, her lifelong dream to visit Ireland was fulfilled. Marina is a woman of great personal faith and has been an active member Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Parish for over 45 years. Resting at Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Ave. Saint John, N.B. E2M 2L3. Visitation will take place on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 27, 2014 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 12:00pm. Interment will follow the Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery. Following the service there will be a reception held at the Assumption Center. Donations may be made to the Assumption Building Fund or the Charity of the Donor's Choice would be greatly appreciated by the family.