Obituary of Eva Olivier

Born to parents who’d emigrated from Ukraine just over a century ago, homesteaders who were granted free land in Manitoba to help populate and farm the Prairies. Her parents Stepan & Julia Kopytko were provided free railway and steamship passage, on condition that they clear and farm the land.

Eva Sophia Olivier, née Kopytko, was born in McCreary, grew up in Alonsa, in central Manitoba, 9th of 13 children, on February 6, 1937 during the Depression.

She worked hard to improve herself, despite a limited education, in manufacturing, as a professional cake decorator, making clothes and parade costumes for children, among many others. She then worked at Canada Post for 21 years, until her retirement.

She is survived by her brother Boris and sister Christina, sons Michael and Francis, grandchildren Edmund, Sophia, and Intezar, adopted grand-daughter Cristina and daughters-in-law Madelyn and Shabin.

Her husband Gilles Jean Sylvestre Olivier passed away November 7, 2019.

Her siblings that have already passed: Michael, Amil, Russell, Donald, Steve, George, Annie, Elsie & Larry.

A long time member of the Greater Victoria Geranium & Fuchsia Society with husband Gilles, she loved gardens and gardening.

Eva was a volunteer with friends of Willistead Manor and derived great pleasure from helping them with their various events in support of this historic house and grounds.

She also supported St Vincent de Paul with donations of food and clothing for the poor.

She loved hosting holiday dinners, going shopping and travelling.

She'd had a full, blessed life.

Visitation will be held at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home, Central Chapel 1700 Tecumseh Rd. E, 519-253-7234 on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 3-5pm and 7-9pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday, November 4 from 9:15am with Funeral Procession to leave at 9:30am going to Immaculate Heart Church (2153 Parkwood) for Funeral Mass at 10am. Interment to follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Willistead Manor -(Eva was a volunteer with friends of Willistead and derived great pleasure from helping them with their various events in support of this historic manor) or St. Vincent de Paul Society (they collect donations of food and clothing for the poor of the parish - Eva often contributed to them). Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com.