STEVENSON, Olga (nee Bies) - It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Olga Stevenson (née Bies). We feel the loss of our beacon of love and hope.
Olga was born in Czechoslovakia on October 22, 1932 and passed away after a short illness on October 6, 2021, at the age of 88.
Loving wife to her predeceased husband Hugh Stevenson.
Best mother ever to her two sons, Rick and his former wife Franca, and Rob and his wife Michelle. Cherished Babka to Jessica & Michael and Chantelle.
She will be missed by her grateful brothers; Rudy Bies (Gloria), Bill Bies (Betty), Ernie Bies (Sandy) and John Bies (predeceased) and her sister Martha Quin (predeceased husband Brian Quin), Anne Siska (predeceased, and her predeceased husband John Siska) and their extended families from which Olga had many nieces and nephews… all of whom were never forgotten as she snail mailed them all twice a year. She would always send birthday cards and Christmas cards along with a hand written note.
By profession, Olga was a teacher. Her teaching career began right out of grade 12 when her high school principal in Hearst recommended Olga to the school inspector. This offer to teach was a life changing moment for her and the entire Bies family. She ended up starting her teaching career in the frozen tundra of Moose River Crossing. Part of her teaching responsibility was to chop her own wood and stoke the fire throughout the day to heat up her classroom.
Always a trailblazer, Moose River Crossing was her first big adventure, while teaching in a one room school for all grades. She was not much older than some of her students.
Throughout her career, she became the favourite teacher for many of her students, some of which were still in touch with her 70 years later.
Being the eldest in an immigrant family, she had to learn early to shoulder extra responsibilities of supporting her family, including her siblings. At one point, three siblings were living in her tiny apartment in Toronto. She went off to teach school each day to earn enough money to put a roof over their heads. They were afforded the opportunity to focus on their education in Toronto.
Receiving a solid education was very important to Olga. Her Toronto location allowed her younger siblings to achieve a much higher education than Hearst could offer. She gave all of her siblings the opportunity to learn and pursue their own passions.
She had another big adventure teaching kids at the Laluz gold mine, way down south in the wild jungles of Nicaragua. She found this position while looking through the classified section in the Toronto Star, listed as “Teacher Wanted.” She landed the job, loaded up a steamer trunk and headed south. Using planes and a large sailing vessel she slowly made her way there. Then a jeep took her to a place in the jungle few have ever ventured to. It took many days just to get to this teaching job.
She taught only a handful of students who were the privileged children of the mining executives. She had her own maid to do all her shopping, laundry and cleaning. Plus, she had access to the executive dining room for her dinners. Talk about a great career move.
Once settled, she was persuaded to enter the local beauty pageant. Of course, she won. Part of her pageant responsibilities was to be present at all home baseball games waged against other mining towns. She became sort of like a good luck charm for the team. Not surprisingly, they won often. So much so that she was always the guest of honour at home baseball games during her reign as Queen.
She married Hugh in 1969, thus becoming an instant mother to Rick and Rob. All of them saw first hand what a beautiful woman, wife, mother and Babka she was. She completed them.
When she became a retired teacher, it gave her an opportunity to be a volunteer in palliative care, and knit hundreds of shoes and hats for newborns, and she was a volunteer at her local church, St. Bartholomews United Church.
Her most favourite destination was the McGinnis Lake cottage with her loving soulmate Hugh. After he died, she continued with her love of the cottage. She was always proud of how well her flowers would bloom there. But, she was quick to besmirch any critter that would have the nerve to eat the heads off of her beautiful flowers.
Olga was fiercely independent until the very end. She would never move into an assisted living building of her own accord. She loved her independence… live in her own home and drive her own car to the grocery store each week and cook whatever she wanted for her own meals.
When her osteoporosis was definitely slowing her down, many suggested she get a weekly house cleaner. The answer was always the same. She'd say, No way. I can do my own laundry, sweep my own floors and vacuum my own carpets!
And so it was. Keeping her independence always won. Not too shabby for someone of her advanced age and declining health.
She has been a very special part of the lives of so many family and friends. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
Arrangments and livestream service details are entrusted with Scott Funeral Home, Brampton chapel.
In lieu of flowers, and because of the gratitude felt for her being a cancer survivor, a donation can be made to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.
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