NORWICH – Aline P. Oliver, 84, formerly of County Rd. 29 and more recently of Mead’s Pond, Norwich, passed away late Monday night, June 29, 2009, at her home.
Born in Oneonta in August of 1924, Aline was the daughter of Lu and Clara Burrell Patrick. She grew up in Oneonta, was a graduate of the local high school, and attended Hartwick College, from which she graduated with a BA degree in psychology. Aline taught nursery school for a short time in Syracuse prior to her marriage in Oneonta on Oct. 25, 1947, to Lynn R. Oliver. The Olivers moved to Norwich where Aline went to work as the first director of the Co-Op Nursery School at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church. After two years there, she shifted employment and became a case worker for the Chenango County Dept. of Social Services, remaining there for 25 years prior to her retirement in 1984. In retirement, Aline enjoyed traveling with her husband and seeing various places around the country. Devotees of bluegrass music, Aline and Lynn were two of the original organizers of the Norwich Family Bluegrass Festival and spent many enjoyable times up and down the east coast as vendors at other bluegrass festivals. A warm, giving, family-oriented woman, Aline was strong-willed and raised her family with a firm but fair and loving hand. She was a member of long-standing of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, where for years she taught Sunday School and actively supported the church programs. She and Lynn had been very involved in local community organizations, such as the Elks and the Lions.
Aline is survived by her children and their spouses: Linda and Bill Graves of North Syracuse, Greg and Mary Oliver of Schenectady, Ralph and Shelia Oliver of Davenport, Fla., Edward and Donna Oliver of Plant City, Fla., Betty and Pete Yaichuk of Groton, and Marie and John Sabo of New Milford, Conn.; by her 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; by nieces and nephews; and by her devoted little black poodle, Ollie. She was predeceased by her husband, Lynn, on Oct. 25, 2007; and by her only brother, Dean Patrick.
Funeral services for Aline will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, will officiate, with interment to follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Susan G. Koman for the Cure, Hermatology-Oncology Associates of CNY, 5008 Brittonfield Pkway, Suite 300, E. Syracuse, NY 13057.