September 17, 2023
Oliver, Sarah L.
Sarah Louise Oliver, of Westwood, formerly of Brighton and of the active Traditions Community of Dedham, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham surrounded by loving family members.. She was 85. Sarah was born November 10, 1937 in Newton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Margarete (Ross) and Charles W. Oliver, immigrants from Nova Scotia. She grew up in Brighton and graduated from Our Lady of the Presentation High School in Brighton. She went on to work as a clerk at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston until her retirement in 1999.
Sarah was the dear sister to Ella Gleason, Stephanie Della-Chiara, and the late Francis Oliver, Marie Doyle, and Florence Hannon and is survived by
her nieces, Debbie Gallagher, Donna Gillis, Diane Horan, Tina Seilor, Lynn Gleason, Patricia Hannon, Theresa Hannon, Judy Oliver, Joanne Oliver, and Janet Oliver and her nephews, Robert Gleason, Brian Gleason, James Gleason, Stephen Gleason, Kevin Gleason, Charles Hannon, William Hannon, John Hannon, Thomas Hannon, and John Oliver. Sarah is predeceased by Peggy Hannon, Stephen Hannon, and Ronald Hannon.
There are countless other close family members and friends whom Sarah adored. She always spoke fondly of her Perthshire Road and Brighton neighbors.
Sarah cherished her large family. She hosted generations of family members at her home on Perthshire Road. Endless memories were made there, including an annual Easter egg hunt. Sarah longed for her time “downeast”. Her cottage is an icon of Arisag Harbor, Nova Scotia. There, she spent time with her Canadian cousins. In 2011, Sarah adopted her dog, Dixie. From then on, the two were inseparable. Faith was important to Sarah. She was a lifetime parishioner of Presentation Parish in Brighton, Massachusetts. Sarah’s other interests included playing bingo, traveling, collecting rocks, and attending big and small family events
One year ago, due to changes in health, Sarah needed to move closer to her family. She took up residence at Traditions, an assisted living in Dedham. In recent conversations, she referred to Traditions as her “new home.” She quickly bonded with the amazing staff and residents. Her days were filled with activities, excursions, porch sitting, and conversation, as was her pastime in Brighton. Sarah will forever be a beacon of light. Her legacy will continue to guide the futures of everyone she loves.
Visiting hours will be Monday, September 18, from 4:00-8:00 at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood, Massachusetts. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home starting at 9 am on Tuesday and proceed with us to St. Denis Church, 157 Washington Street, Westwood for her funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, family and friends wishing to remember Sarah are invited to contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of their choice.