Olive Mae Rusch, fondly known as Olivia, age 84, went on to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 18, 2015. She passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family.
Olivia was a wonderful, giving person who always put her family first. She had an incredible sense of humor and was an amazing storyteller. She appreciated the simple things in life, like sunsets at the Point, eating ice cream, watching Dancing with the Stars, Friday night fish fries, cooking, baking, and family celebrations. She was the matriarch of the family and will be missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends.
Born as Olive Mae Centner in Dunkirk on May 7, 1930 to the late Raymond Center and Bessie Johnson Centner, she was predeceased by her parents as well as siblings: Raymond Centner (commonly known as Bubbles) of Pomfret, NY, sister Betty Centner Huteson of The Dalles, Oregon, and sister Beverly Centner Martin of Dunkirk, NY. Olivia was also predeceased in death by infant son Richard and 4-year-old daughter Mary Lou. Olivia lost the love of her life in September 2014, her husband and soulmate for 64 years, Harold E. Rusch of Dunkirk, NY.
Olivia began working at the age of 15 at the Coffee House on Central Avenue. It was here where she and Harold began their great romance. After high school, she became the first woman to work for the Dunkirk office of the Bell Telephone Company. She was a Real Estate agent and became a Broker for Rusch Realty for many years. Most recently, she worked in customer service for the Dunkirk DMV.
Olivia is survived by her children: Edward Rusch II, Harold (Hal) Rusch II (Mary Jo), Susan Rusch and Mary Reynolds all of Dunkirk, Janie Hurley (Mark) of Davidson, NC, Sally Bueno (Albert) of Chapin, SC, and Robert Rusch of Los Angeles, CA.
She is survived by 22 grandchildren: Vanessa Lynn Rusch, Justin Rusch, Edward Rusch III, Matthew Rusch, Adam Rusch, Nadia Daouaou, Leila Daouaou, Dave Reynolds, Jimmy Reynolds, Katie Durham, Nicole Beatty, Alisha Beatty, Kayla Beatty, Kristine Beatty, Courtney Hurley, Nicole Hurley, Brianna Hurley, Mark Hurley, Dena Uscio, Lola Bueno, Olivia Bueno and Alex Bueno. She is also survived by 26 great-grandchildren: Cameron, Alore Lynn, Stephen, Violet, Eve, Scarlet, Natalie, Parker, Emily, Sierra, Ayva, Izaiah, Victoria, Kaelyn, Daisy, Nick, Ramona, Joey, Jimmy, MyraLynn, Jayden, Alena, Lily, Sophia, Cole and Teegan.
Olivia is also survived by her beloved pets: Belle and Samantha.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 21 at 11:00 AM at Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church, 39 Matteson St. in Fredonia. There will be a light brunch following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 022417005 or www.heart.org.
Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.
By the Observer
