Josephine B. (Zadie) Oliver
Josephine B. Oliver (Zadie), “Jo”, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, June 18th, 2017. The first generation daughter of Lebanese parents, Josephine Zadie was born on March 11th, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in eastern Pennsylvania where she met and married John M. Oliver. They were married in the Maronite Church during a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Elinor, and continued to live in Pennsylvania where they raised their family of three daughters.
A graduate of Churchman’s Business School (Easton, PA), Jo later earned her legal assistant certificate from Northampton Community College. She began her working career straight out of high school at a prominent law firm in Easton, PA and continued working at the law firm for more than 50 years.
Jo is survived by her daughters, Denise Park Parsons (Alan) of Louisville, KY; Janet Oliver of Kennebunk, ME; and Deborah Oliver (Asger Bagge) of Camden, ME as well as her grandchildren: Rebecca Oliver Palanca of Portland, ME; Katherine Park Fioret (Bryan) of Durham, NC; Rheanna Oliver Palanca of Kennebunk, ME; Andrew Parsons (Leyla) of Paris, France; Michael Parsons of Louisville, KY; Sarah Parsons of Alexandria, VA; Christine Bagge Petersen (Bjarne) of Denmark; and Johanne Bagge (Lars) of Denmark. She is also survived by her brother, John Zadie (Sharon) of Englewood, CO. and great-grandchildren Bennett Fioret of Durham, NC; Sally and Ronja Bagge Petersen of Denmark; and Ellen and Vera Thorup Bagge of Denmark. Jo is predeceased by her husband of nearly 40 years, her granddaughter Emelia Park, and her sister Elinor Hunt.
An avid reader, Jo volunteered at the Kennebunk Free Library for 14 years as well as the Kennbunk Land Trust and Sea Road School. Her volunteer activities in Pennsylvania included many years at the Crayola Factory Museum, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and the Senior Center. While living in Pennsylvania, Jo was locally famous for the extraordinary variety and quantity of Christmas cookies she baked to give away. The recipes have been handed down to her daughters and granddaughters and the tradition still continues. Jo resided in Kennebunk, Maine since 2002. An adventurous traveler, her jaunts included overseas visits to Hawaii, Denmark, Lebanon, Paris, and Ireland.
A celebration of Josephine’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Kennebunk Free Library. A memorial service in Easton, PA will take place at a later date.
Arrangements are with Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jo’s memory to the Kennebunk Free Library, 112 Main Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043 or the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation, (please specify Josephine Oliver and Emelia Park), PO Box 3202, St. Charles, IL 60174