Memorial Chapel Funeral Home
http://www.memorialchapel.net
Houghton, MI
Jean Isabelle (Corriveau) Ollila, 86, passed away quietly at the Omega House in Houghton, Michigan, with close family by her side, on Thursday, August 22, 2019, following a short illness.
Jean was a 29-year resident of The Villages, Florida (Village of Country Club Hills) and a former resident of Madison Heights, Michigan; Troy, Michigan; Lawrence, Kansas and most recently, Houghton, Michigan.
Jean was born November 16, 1932 in Hazel Park, Michigan, to the late Nazaire and Laura (Roberts) Corriveau. Jean's stories of growing up during the depression and war years were always a reminder that, despite the hardships, love and devotion to family was her recipe for happiness and the bonds that kept everyone together.
Jean met Art Ollila while waitressing in a local diner. She said it was love at first sight. After a short engagement, Jean married Art on October 18, 1951, and thus began a 65-year marriage overflowing with life, love and adventures.
Jean worked outside the home on various occasions but preferred and took pride in her role as wife, mother and consummate homemaker. The love and care Jean showered her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with has made a positive, indelible impression on each and every one. By the year 1975, Art and Jean were empty nesters and it was then her life's path led her to Lawrence, Kansas, where Jean worked tirelessly by Art's side to build a successful restaurant business. Their hard work paid off. Jean's retirement years were spent with Art in The Villages, Florida, from where they travelled extensively all over the country as well as various places around the world.
Above all of this, Jean's love for her church and family defined her. Jean grew up attending Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic school and later became a charter member of Hope Lutheran Church in the Villages, where she was a fixture at the 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning service and most often the first to greet the Pastor. Jean's Sunday mornings weren't complete without a big Sunday breakfast gathering with family and friends.
Jean's patriotic spirit led her to participate in Operation Shoebox, an organization that supports our troops deployed overseas. Jean enjoyed playing bingo and delighted in family events and holidays. Jean was a compassionate person and all those who met and came to know her smile and gentle ways loved her. Her dear friends at The Bluffs Senior Living Community, where Jean resided last, will dearly miss her, as will everyone whose lives Jean touched.
Surviving relatives are Jean's daughter, Connie (Mike) Cischke of Houghton; Grandson Kit (Julie) Cischke of Houghton and their children, Cameron, Olivia and Heidi; Granddaughter Katie (Jeff) Korpi of Ishpeming, Michigan and their children, Izabelle and Luke; Daughter-in-Law, Lynn Ollila of Lawrence, Kansas and her children, Scott, of Manhattan, Kansas and Lauren, of Fort Collins, Colorado. Jean is also survived by her sister, Verna (Fred) Samuel; Brother-in-Law Eric (Fran) Ollila; Sisters-in-Law Betty, Lillian, and Pat Ollila; Dorothy Sova and Shirley Corriveau; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved unconditionally.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur K. Ollila and her son, Kenneth A. Ollila; Sister Ellen Cadaret; Brothers Clarence, Marvin, Francis, Robert and Leonard Sova and Arthur "Ben" Corriveau.
In honor of Jean's last wish, a memorial service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 250 Avenida Los Angelos, The Villages, FL on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. A graveside service will also be held on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at 11:30 a.m., at White Chapel Cemetery, Troy, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Jean's name to the Omega House, 2211 Maureen Ln, Houghton, Michigan 49931 or Hope Lutheran Church in The Villages, Florida.
To view Jean's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock, MI have been assisting the family with the arrangements.
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