In Memory
Olive May (Harrell) Plaia
Olive Plaia Dec. 25, 1925 - May 21, 2014 SOUTH BEND - Olive Plaia, 88, passed away at Sanctuary At St. Paul's on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. Olive was born on December 25, 1925, in South Bend, to Jesse and Lucille (Stahl) Harrell. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 65 years, Frank, and a son, Mark. Olive lived a vibrant life. She was the last survivor of her family being part of the "Greatest Generation." Olive worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" during WW II and drove Route 66 with her friend Doris.
Olive married Francis Plaia, a returning WW II veteran, on June 19, 1948. Together they raised five boys. Olive involved herself in every aspect of her children's lives. From Cub Scouts to PTA to youth groups, Olive was always active and present. When the boys were in middle school she began a career with Bell Telephone in the engineering department. She traveled extensively with her best friend Betty. After retirement, she and Frank traveled the country in their RV. Her faith revealed itself by her years of dedication at both St. Mathew's and later at St. Pius.
Surviving Olive are her sons, Patrick (Helen) Plaia of Eugene, OR, Paul Plaia of Fishers, IN, Steve (Julie) Plaia of Mishawaka and Chris (Maryken) of Mission Viejo, CA; a daughter-in-law, Carol Plaia of Springfield, OR; eight grandchildren, Carmen RipleyWilson, Sara Plaia-Besch, Allison Plaia Kulman, Emily Plaia, Chad Plaia, Jared Plaia, Nicholas Murphy and Colton Plaia; and a great- grandson, Zephyir Wilson.
Many thanks to the staff at Sanctuary at St Paul's for her care.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 10:30 a.m., St. Pius X Catholic Church, Granger, with visitation 1 hour beforehand. Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, has been entrusted with handling the final arrangements. To leave the family an online condolence, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.
.Published in South Bend Tribune on June 12, 2014
Sources: Ancestry.com and FindAGrave.com
05/16/2024 EJS
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