LYNN — A private burial at St. Jean’s Cemetery was held on Saturday, April 11, 2020 for Olive M. McGrath, 93. A life long resident of Lynn, Olive was the loving wife of the late Patrick J. McGrath with whom she shared 44 wonderful years of marriage before they were separated by his passing. Olive died at Hunt Nursing home in Danvers where she was a resident for almost 3 1/2 years, suffering from late stages of dementia.
Olive was born and raised in Lynn, the daughter of the late Thomas and Lena (Cormier) Oak. She attended St. Jean’s School, Lynn Public Schools, and worked for more than 25 years at the General Electric Company, all in Lynn. Olive was especially proud of her work at GE where she supervised and worked as an inspector on J-85 rotor assembly and was awarded an honor for work improvement.
Although the big prize always eluded her, Olive loved to gamble: Bingo, scratch tickets, Las Vegas, Foxwoods, Wonderland and horse racing. She always said her best win was “that she was lucky in love” and that was what mattered most to her. Olive and Pat were both favored with large families and together were blessed with eight children. She worked full time for most of the years she was raising a large family and never complained. It is amazing to look back and to see all she had to do in a day. Family was what mattered most to Olive, and she was a wonderful example of what the definition of “Mother” is and also of how one can age with grace. Olive had a huge heart and was always giving of herself. Never tell her you liked something, because the next thing one knew, she gave you hers or got you the item you admired. When she was left alone with the passing of her husband, she rose above her fate, and was never a burden to those she loved. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. She never asked for anything. She was always there to help if she could.
Olive was also a devout Catholic and as such was a communicant of St. Pius and St. Mary’s parishes as well as the former St. Jean de Baptiste Church.
Olive leaves eight children. Her four daughters and spouses, Linda and Edward Murphy of Ipswich, Kathleen and Ken MacNichol of Georgetown, Maureen and Tony Lanzillotti of Wakefield, and Nancy and David Conway of Derry, N.H. Her four sons and spouses include John and Susan (Bruce) McGrath of Methuen, Patrick McGrath of Lynn, Kevin and Andrea (Bates) McGrath of Winthrop, and Thomas and Kerry (Obey) of Middleton. Olive was predeceased by two sisters, Claire Hyde and Lucille McLaud, as well as three brothers, Charles Oak, Lawrence Oak and Robert Oak. Remaining close relatives include her brother-in-law, Thomas McLaud of Lynnfield and sister-in law, Anna McGrath of Lynn. She leaves 20 grandchildren, Ed Murphy, Amy Murphy Sevigny, Brian Murphy, Chris Bruce, Kelly McGrath, Eric McGrath, Krystal McGrath, Kenneth MacNichol, Keegan MacNichol, Kevin MacNichol, Kyle MacNichol, Sarah Lanzillotti Faulkner, Craig Lanzillotti, Heath McGrath, Megan McGrath Shulman, Lauren McGrath, Dennis Conway, Kasey Conway, Rachael McGrath and Brett McGrath. Olive also leaves eight great-grandchildren, Olivia Murphy, Katie Sevigny, Abbie Sevigny, Sophie Rossman, Desmond MacNichol, Charlotte Faulkner, Nicholas Faulkner and Mila McGrath. Olive is also loved by many nieces and nephews.
Service information: This is a stressful time in the country and the world due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Due to the challenges we face as a result, we will await a memorial Mass and a Celebration of Life reception that will take place in the coming months.
Arrangements made by SOLIMINE Funeral Home in Lynn, 426 Broadway (Route 19), Lynn. Friends are encouraged to leave condolences for the family at www.solimine.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Lynn Catholic Collaborative of St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Church, 8 South Common St., Lynn, MA 01902.
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