Olivia Velasquez

Olivia Velasquez, 68, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2017, surrounded by her devoted husband and family at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

Olivia was born on December 26, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas, to John Jr. and Clementine (Garcia) Valdivia. She grew up on the West Side of Kansas City, surrounded by a tight-knit community of family and friends with similar backgrounds, each working to make the best of each day and provide a better future for their children.

Olivia met Salvador in 1980, at the Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. Being at the right place at the right time, combined with the unknowable force of love at first sight, altered the course of both their young lives. They were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church that next year, and in 1983, had a baby girl, Rebecca, to share their life and unconditional love with.

Olivia battled Rheumatoid Arthritis since her youth, but her strength, perseverance, and spirit always maintained her compassion, generosity, hope, and capacity to love her family and friends. As a labor and delivery nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital for 23 years, she was known for her ability to spot subtle changes in newborns and aid doctors in diagnosing ailments and providing life-saving treatments. Olivia’s compassion was most noticeable in her devotion to her mother, Clementine, whom she cared for through her final days.

As a mother, she was love. Olivia invested her energy into Rebecca’s life and well-being each day, providing a constant source of encouragement, inspiration, support and joy. She took great pride in her daughter, who followed in her footsteps as a nurse. Laughter was also a healing respite for Olivia, and her jovial nature welcomed friends and family to her side at even the hardest times. The love and devotion Olivia and Sal found in each other and the countless lives affected by her qualities of laughter, love, and loyalty, are a reminder for us all and part of Olivia’s legacy of a life well lived.

Olivia is survived by her husband of 35 years, Salvador Matthew; daughter, Rebecca Ann; her sisters, Carmen Mall and Rose Ann Hernandez; her brothers, John Joseph Valdivia, Robert Felix Valdivia, Edward Valdivia and David “Beaver” Valdivia. Olivia was preceded in death by her grandmother, Carmen Garcia, her parents, John Jr. and Clementine Valdivia, and sister, Mary Helen Valdivia. Olivia was also a loving mother-in-law to Julie Brown; sister-in-law to Martha Valdivia, Carol Valdivia, Bob Mall, Rosina Valdivia, Paul Hernandez, and Carmela Valdivia; and aunt to many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Church was at the center of Olivia’s life, so it’s fitting that hers comes full circle at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine for her life celebration. A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Olivia Velasquez at 11:00 am Monday, February 6, 2017, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, 901 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Kansas City, MO. A Rosary will be at 9:45 am and family visitation at 10:00 am. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at the Shrine. Donations to The Arthritis Foundation in lieu of flowers are also accepted.