Young, Olivia
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved aunt, Olivia Young (née Gwyn). Olivia was born on October 31, 1922, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK and diedpeacefully in Edmonton on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in her 100th year. Olivia was predeceased by her loving husband John Murray Young (February 24, 2013) and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert M. Gwyn and brother Herbert J.C. Gwyn of St. Albans. She was a strong and loving presence in our lives and impressed many with her patience and determination to fully
enjoy and partake of life.
Olivia is deeply mourned by her godson Mike Woods and his wife Christine and their children. She is survived by her many nieces and nephews in Canada and leaves behind many friends and cousins in Canada, England and the United States.
Olivia was a trailblazer for her time. Trained as a physiotherapist, after graduation (1940) she served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. She provided physiotherapy to wounded soldiers during the war in England and in the Far East after the cessation of hostilities in 1945-1946. She made many life-long friends amongst her fellow physiotherapists and others serving with her. Olivia came to Canada and to Edmonton in 1957 on a secondment and stayed. She worked in the Glenrose Hospital (for about 8 years) where she helped to set up the rehabilitation centre. Following that, she established and operated a physiotherapy clinic until her retirement. She was a long-time volunteer at the Misericordia Hospital palliative care unit, under Dr. Helen Hays.
She met her husband at the Royal Glenora Club (Edmonton) where they were both enthusiastic tennis players. They married in 1963 and were together for over 50 years. They were both honorary members of the Royal Glenora Club (Edmonton). A true sportswoman all her life and until the past few years she enjoyed tennis, golf, walking / hiking, riding in the mountains, and swimming. She was also a great gardener and an enthusiastic bridge player.
After retirement, John and Olivia enjoyed travelling to many parts of the world including India, the Far East, South America and England.
Like her husband, John, Olivia has elected to donate her body to science at the University of Alberta. [A private Memorial Service will be held later]. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully received by the Edmonton Community Foundation, 9910 – 103 Street N.W., Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2V7. The website is:https://ecfold.savian.dev. Under the donate button you will see a direct link to the John and Olivia Fund for Health – “In Memory of Olivia Young”. The phone numbers are 1-780-426-0015 & 1-866-626-0015.
(Wednesday, March 16, 2022)
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Fill out the form below to contribute a one-time donation, or set up a recurring monthly donation in memory of Olivia to the John & Olivia Young Fund for Health. We will notify the founder/family of your thoughtful gift unless you request anonymity.
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