S Olive L. (Lupien) Maki

LEICESTER/STERLING – Olive L. (Lupien) Maki, 92, of Leicester and Sterling died peacefully surrounded by her family at Saint Vincent Hospital on Sunday, October 3, 2010 after a brief illness.

Her husband of 54 years, Otto J. Maki, predeceased her in 1990. She is survived by her daughter, Justina Lachapelle and her husband Paul of Leicester, with whom she lived, and son-in-law Roy Grandone of Barre. She also leaves grandchildren, Dean Maki of Tiverton, Rhode Island, Robert Dzivasen and his wife Paula of Worcester, Anthony Gambaccini and his wife Lindsey of Worcester, Kathryn Schnare and her husband Wayne of Worcester, Amy Grandone of Barre, Lori Dzivasen of Martha's Vineyard and Kim Gambaccini of Worcester. She also leaves a granddaughter, Olivia Lachapelle, with whom she had developed a very special relationship during the many months they lived together. In addition, she leaves her legacy behind to 10 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren as well as generations of cousins, nieces and nephews; and her special friends Claire and Lillian.

Olive was predeceased by her siblings, Cleve and Rachel Lupien, her children, Roberta Grandone, D. Maki, Doreen Gambaccini and Joelle Dzivasen and grandchildren, Joseph Grandone, Pamela (Maki) Dodson, Chester Dzivasen and Mark Gambaccini. Throughout these numerous losses, she always kept the undying faith that "Thy will be done".

She was born on November 9, 1917 in Watertown, daughter of Louis and Dora (Glidden) Lupien. She graduated from Holden High School and soon married Otto Maki of Princeton, who had swept her off her feet at a barn dance. Olive spent the next many years raising her family and providing her children with every enriching opportunity she and Otto could afford. Later in life, Olive attended nursing school with her daughter Doreen and graduated from Fanning Trade, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse at Worcester City Hospital for 20 years. She was a member of the Greendale Peoples Church, Sterling Historical Society, West Sterling Community Club, Sterling Grange and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She anonymously supported many worthy causes through small, but frequent, donations. She also volunteered at the Sterling Senior Center.

Her generosity and never-ending perseverance made Olive a one-of-a-kind. Those who knew her will never forget her … her strength of body and mind, her uncanny intuition, her way of making everyone feel special and important, her forgiving spirit, and her ability to comfort others even in times of her own need. She enjoyed jewelry making, researching family genealogy, reading, listening to jazz, big band and classical music, sewing, camping and "tinkering" on the piano. It was not unusual for her to spend endless hours talking on the phone and emailing her friends and family at all hours of the day and night. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 8th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. She will be laid to rest with her husband in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton, at the convenience of the family. Flowers may be sent or donations may be made to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest, 484 Main Street, Suite 360, Worcester, MA 01608.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com