Obituary for Olive Mary Sarkinen

Our beloved mother and nan, Olive, aged 83, passed away January 20, 2019. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Charles “Chuck”; parents, William and Mary Jane; sisters, Eileen and Betty; and grandson, Zachary.

Olive bravely immigrated to the U.S. from England in 1959. She first settled in Michigan then moved to Minnesota where she met and married Charles and began a family. She worked as a typist in her early years and later worked at St. Therese Nursing Home. She volunteered over the last 50 plus years to help:at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis (her treasured spiritual home); children battling cancer; encouraging new voters and supporting Democratic candidates; helping her local elementary school; and supported other social groups she belonged to, including T.B.P.A. (“British Girls Club”), School Master’s Wives, and R.A.R.E.

Olive was one of very few children who grew up in London during World War II. Most children were evacuated to the countryside. Her early experiences made a profound impact. Throughout her life, Olive was committed to promoting peace and social justice. She believed in the inherent worth and dignity of every person in every part of the world and instilled these values in her children and grandchildren. Olive was a committed feminist after seeing the strength of the women who kept London running during World War II while the men were fighting the war.

Olive will be remembered by those who loved her as a generous, intelligent, kind soul who was devoted to her family. Olive was an exceptional wife to Charles, taking expert care of him in his later years. Olive loved spending time with her grandchildren and children and took great pleasure in beating them in cards. Olive loved music, watching plays, following the Twins and current events. She leaves behind a wonderful group of friends she cultivated over the years.

Olive is survived by her daughters, Mary (Eric) Hexom and Anne (Kent) White; son, Christopher (Christine) Sarkinen; grandchildren, Ben Hexom, Charlotte (Jonathan) McCue, Alex White, Kendall White, Will Sarkinen, Cole Sarkinen; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Levere) Hostetler andGloria (Ian) Knowles; and countless friends, nieces and nephews.

Visitation to be held on Friday, February 7^th, from 4-8 pm at the Evans-Nordby Funeral Home, 34 Second Street N.E., Osseo, MN 55369.Celebration of Life at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis at 2 pm, Saturday, February 9^th (visitation one hour prior), 900 Mount Curve Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403.Memorials preferred to:the Childrens Cancer Therapy Development Institute of Beaverton, Oregon (“cc-TDI”) or the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis.