WESTFIELD – Olivine Allaire of Westfield passed away on November 29th, after complications from a procedure several months ago. Olivine, or Ollie as her friends called her, was born and raised in Chester, Massachusetts, and was the only daughter of Arvilla Allaire, who predeceased her in 1984.
Ollie graduated from Chester High School in 1968 and was class Valedictorian. During high school she spent summers as a lifeguard at the town pool in Chester, always caring for those in the small, tight-knit community. After high school, she pursued a degree in Education from Westfield State University, and played basketball, softball, and volleyball while there. Upon graduating, Ollie started teaching for the Gateway Regional School District, a life-long career that gave her great pride.
Olivine leaves behind a brother and best childhood friend, David Zucker, and his wife, Elizabeth Bunker of Langdon, NH, as well as her first cousins Claire and Edward Willey, Stephen Salvini, Vivian Salvini, and Patricia Wingate. Ollie had a special relationship with her niece Sherry (Allaire) Meissner, and Sherry’s siblings Tommy Allaire, Patty Ziter, Terry Alaire, Becky Nugent, Debbie Thomas, and David Allaire. Olivine also had many close friends including Kathy Mastromatteo, Marylou Moccio, and Marilyn Spedding, and her dearest friend, Kathy Bulat, who faithfully cared for Olivine over the past year.
Olivine’s vocation was a calling to something deep in her heart, as she was a loving soul who took care of everyone around her. She adored animals and rescued many dogs over her lifetime, Riley, Molly, and Annie were among her favorites. Ollie enjoyed her summers spent in Westerly, Rhode Island, and Thursday night pitch games with friends Phyllis, Beverly and Walter. She touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew her.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on December 11th, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Street, Westfield, MA followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a local animal shelter and carry on Olivine’s legacy of caring for those most in need. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Olivine’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy.
