Jameson (Stivers) “Jamie”, Olive L.

Olive L. Jameson (m. Stivers)

“Ollie”  “Jamie”

July 24, 1930 – June 7, 2022  

Survived by daughters: Deborah (Edward) Dzierzak, Susan M. Stivers, Jacquelyn Stivers, and Sandra (David) Palmer. Ten grandchildren: Jan & Kelsey Dzierzak and Jamie & fiancé Dr. Ally Bias; Rachel Stivers-Bender; Jillian Flanagan (fiancé Angelo Costanza), Kelsey Flanagan, and Bradley Flanagan; David A. and Alexander Palmer; and Christina and Elissa Brownell (daughters of Sharon). Predeceased by daughter, Sharon Stivers and former husband, John M. Stivers.

Calling Hours 3-5 PM, Friday, June 24, 2022 at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt location), 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport. Graveside Service 11AM, Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Lakeside Cemetery, Hamlin, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Olive to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, New York 14450 , or on-line at give.lollypop.org and select “I would like to dedicate this donation to someone”. 

Olive was born in Cincinnati, Ohio the daughter of Charles Edgar Jameson and Margaret (Helen) Jones. Olive is also predeceased by her seven siblings: Margaret, Ralph, John, Robert, Janet, Ardith (Gail) and David.  

Olive’s father, Charles, worked for the Railroad, and later was a farmer. Her mother was hard-working, raising a family of eight children and later was a seamstress sewing corsets and selling them door-to-door. This is no doubt where Olive gleaned her work-ethic from.

Olive was only seven years old when the great flood of 1937 took place, and Mom recalled many stories from that historical event. Much of their belongings was lost as the waters rose to the heights of the top floor of their house! She always told us how her family cow was sadly swept away, and her family and a neighbor moved into the second floor of the local school. They traveled by boat through town to go to the local store and get their groceries out a peak window. The river waters rose so high that mom would touch the traffic light in Newtown!

As a teenager, Olive attended Newtown schools, worked at a restaurant called The Wee Bit as a waitress, and then graduated from Witherow High School. Such a proud achievement for her and her parents.

After graduation, she decided to follow her brothers into the armed services. She joined the Air Force in what was “the best decision she ever made.” She left Cincinnati for Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Once Olive’s training was complete, she took her first ever airplane ride to Sampson Air Force Base on Seneca Lake, Geneva, New York.

Olive became a Staff Sergeant, dispensing clothing, bedding and supplies to GI’s. She was also a mail clerk and achieved the rank of Airman First Class (A/1C) during her service. Most notably, because of Olive’s athleticism, she was selected to play basketball for the Air Force Sabrettes. She excelled and led the team to years of state championships, was awarded a commendation by the General, and most importantly… met her coach and future husband, Jack Stivers.

John (Jack) Stivers was the Sabrettes Basketball coach and played baseball for the Air Force. They fell in love and got married. Olive completed her service time and she and Jack started a family and moved off base.

They and their young family first lived in Auburn, NY then when John finished his service time and college degree, they moved to Addison, NY for Jack’s first teaching and coaching positions. When Jack was offered a teaching opportunity in East Rochester, NY they moved there in 1963. It is here they raised their five girls.

While in East Rochester, Olive established herself as a great mother and volunteer. She was school room mother, PTA parent, Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher, homework helper, and successful homemaker.

Olive eventually moved to Fairport, and began a new chapter of her life. She proudly bought her own home, and got her very first job since before marriage. She took a position at Wegmans Food Market as the Fabric Department Manager. She then became the Soft Goods Manager, and finally, the Card Department Manager. Olive retired from Wegmans after 26 years of service, always appreciated and liked by customers and fellow employees.

Olive was always artistic and creative. She decided to take an Adult Education course in woodworking and it is then, that she discovered her love – and talent- of making and painting wooden crafts. Mom was a quick learner, and decided to sign up for the same class again. The teacher pulled Mom aside and said she “had excelled at this class and could move on to the next one”, but Mom responded that “she needed to finish projects that used his exact equipment”, so she took the same class again. 

Eventually, Olive created a full woodworking shop in her basement and mastered full-sized saws, drills, meters, etc. She opened a business to sell her crafts called “The Owl’s Nest” and consigned for years with Powers Market.

“Ollie” returned to her love of sports and began playing summer softball in Perinton and for Wegmans, quickly establishing herself as a solid pitcher, second baseman and strong hitter. She earned several Most Valuable Player trophies and led many teams to championship titles. She was in her glory! Jackie and Sandie even played one summer with their mother which is a memory they treasure.

Summer leagues did not have rosters at the time for aging adults, but Mom had read an article for a “co-ed” league in Irondequoit. She cut it out and saved it for a couple years until after knee replacement, when she was able join. When the time came, she was one of two females who registered and were placed on teams. 

Mom was met with a less-than-warm reception by the men on her team…. until she hit a home run and showed herself as a star pitcher!! On several occasions, her team won the coveted case of beer from the losing team due to her contributions! She quickly was admired for her athleticism and her friendly, fun personality. 

In her retirement years, she loved her home, gardens, pets and grandchildren!! She spoiled her grandkids with cookies, crafts, endless outdoor yard fun, pool hours and sleepovers!!  THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT “NANA” to all of your grandchildren!

A close second, are her beloved pets through the years. Since her childhood, she always had a dog. She continued to love and care deeply for dogs, cats, birds, our gerbils, and fish (she once had our carnival goldfish that grew to eight inches long!) and finally, her outdoor feathered friends. She even fed those pesky squirrels and the deer that would come overnight and empty her bird feeders! We finally had to train mom not to fill it before bedtime!

Mom would want us to mention those beloved pets by name, so, here goes: dogs: Tippy, Dusty, Buzzy (who Chief McShane would bring home on garbage nights and beg Daddy to keep her locked up on that night!); Lucky, Spanky, Brownie, Dusty, and lastly, her devoted beagle, Sampson. Her cats: BeeBee (named after the RG&E power station where Daddy found her); Scamper, Soya the Manx, Jamie Kitten, Pumpkin, Bandit (who mom called “her million dollar cat” because mom saved her by having a $1,000.00 surgery!); and Rusty “White Paws” and Misty who survive her. 

She treasured her 30-year bond with her Sampson Air Force Reunion group. She is member No. 1. She had so many marvelous friendships to cherish, and memories to recall of all the fun had at the annual reunions with people like Mary and Walt Steesey, Karl Grantier, Jim Pitts, Betty and Frank Weronski, Harmonica Pete, her Coach Frenchy… to only name a few!

We would remind mom what a grand life she created. Olive lived and treated people how she would want to be treated. She continues to have the respect and love of so many people in the community, and most of all… from all of her families.

We celebrate the wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, niece, mother and grandmother she was.

She will always remain, as her daughters often reminded her… THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD!!!