Joanne C. Ollivier

Joanne C. Ollivier, age 92, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2022. She was born on October 24, 1930, in Toledo to her late parents, Wade and Frances Bettinger.

Joanne was a 1949 graduate of Central Catholic High School where she was a member of the Glee Club. She furthered her education at the University of Toledo and belonged to the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She began working for A.O. Smith before meeting and marrying her then husband, Arthur James “Jim” Ollivier, in 1954 until 1974. Together they had their son, Mike, whom she loved dearly.

Joanne spent the majority of her professional career with St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation where she truly experienced a great deal of joy and made lifelong friends. As Director of Special Events, Joanne was the face of the Foundation and matriarch to the entire staff. Her responsibilities included planning and executing the organization’s largest fundraiser “A Night to Remember” and directing the Medical Center’s employee campaign. As she solicited funds to ensure the legacy of the Grey Nuns, she visited nearly every department annually, and was a familiar face to the entire staff. (She always joked that she was steering clear of any clinical or overly medical situation where she might encounter blood!) In organizing “A Night to Remember” describing her as meticulous is an understatement. Her goal was to ensure that every detail was addressed properly for what became one of Toledo’s premiere events. Under her leadership, attendance grew to nearly 1,000; she knew how to throw a party! A highlight of each year’s event was a performance by world-renowned entertainer and in her gracious style, she catered to the celebrities’ every need and want–and some were outlandish! Even years later she would recall the many hilarious memories.

Aside from her career, Joanne was also active in the Toledo Chapter of Reserve Officers Association Ladies (ROAL) and served as the Ohio President in 1972; was a board member of the St. Vincent Auxiliary; and served as a committee member for Anne Grady Services. Her most cherished place was her home of nearly 68 years on Oak Grove Place, where she always kept an eye on the neighborhood and frequently had a project underway. Traveling brought her great joy, especially when visiting her family, and she had many memorable experiences after the several family trips she had taken to Europe.

Joanne will be best remembered for her graciousness and outgoing nature. She had a natural ability to carry on a conversation with everyone and always had “just one more thing to share” before ending a phone conversation! Joanne was a notably loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her time spent with family was among the most precious to her, and her presence will be incredibly missed by all of those who knew and loved her.

Joanne is survived by her son, Michael (Lorie) Ollivier, Bigfork, MT; grandchildren, Nicole Ollivier, Nashville, TN, Lauren Ollivier, Bigfork, MT, Allix (Malcolm) Guajardo, Marina, CA; great grandson, Henry “Hank” Guajardo, Marina, CA; former husband, Arthur “Jim” Ollivier, Carlsbad, CA.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave., where services to celebrate Joanne’s life will begin at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Donations in Joanne’s honor are suggested to Mercy Health Foundation of Greater Toledo.