ANTUNES, Maria Olivia Antunes

Passed away on December 6, 2025, at the age of 82, with her family by her side. She is survived by her devoted husband, Antonio; her children, Paulo and Anabela (Michael); and her beloved grandchildren, Tiffany, Beau, and Liam. Olivia is survived by her sister, Benilde, and many nieces and nephews in France and Portugal.

Olivia was born in Dornelas, Portugal to the late Trindade and Albano Mendes on August 23, 1943; she was the youngest of five siblings. In 1969, at the age of 26 years, she married Antonio in Angola, the following year Paul was born in Jamba (Africa), where they lived until 1974 when civil war broke out in Angola. Olivia, Antonio, and Paul returned to the safety of Portugal. The following year (1976), Anabela was born. Soon after in 1979, the quest for a better life led them to Canada, where they settled in the south Okanagan. Over the years, they worked hard to create a warm and loving home at their family orchard in Osoyoos, BC.

During the off season of orchard work, Olivia kept busy and used her skills as a talented seamstress to whip up clothing for herself and others and was always ready to do some mending.  Olivia loved to crochet and made hundreds of beautiful pieces over the years. She always had a productive garden with an abundance of vegetables to share and was proud of her orchard. She tended to all sorts of animals over the years, and it brought her so much joy.

She loved growing flowers, travelling, playing practical jokes, and was an amazing storyteller. Olivia was a devoted Portuguese Futebol fan, rarely missing a game on TV and always discussing it with Paul when it was over.  Olivia loved baking and making desserts to share, you could say her love language was food. A favourite of hers was to gather with friends and family over a meal, she was always ready to cook one of her specialties and would often show up unexpectedly at a friend’s door with a pot of her amazing soup. She was generous and loved to give to those she loved.  Eventually, they sold the family orchard and moved to Kelowna, BC, where they retired.

Olivia had a genuine and deep love for family, friends, and her neighbours. Her open and unconditional love of children and pets was known by everyone. She loved to make friends everywhere she went, often immediately inviting them over to her home for a coffee (or dinner) – this is how her circle of friends grew and then turned into her extended family.

Olivia will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

We are very grateful for the wonderful care Olivia received while she was in hospice over the last two months, as well as for all the love and support shown to our family at that difficult time. Thank you to the many friends who helped her get back and forth to doctors, oncology, and specialist appointments during the last two years.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to COHA (the Central Okanagan Hospice Association).

A Memorial Service will be held on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025, at 11:00 AM (PST), at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2547 Hebert Rd, West Kelowna, BC. A reception will be held following the service.

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