Olive Millicent Maxwell

Olive Millicent Maxwell

1922-2009

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the passing of Olive Millicent Maxwell, nee Hagen.

Olive was born April 20th 1922, in England, to Carl and Winnifred Hagen nee Holland. Dear sister of Joan Crowch, nee Hagen, deceased. Ronald Hagen, now residing in New Zealand. Kenneth Hagen, deceased. Winnifred Clarke nee Hagen, residing in England, and Maurice Hagen, deceased. Olive is survived by numerous nieces and nephews residing in, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Olive attended school in England, studied Pitman shorthand, and became a secretary. During the war she served her country as a WAAF, in a Balloon Barrage squadron, in London, England, and until her final days was actively involved, with the Reunion Club. At the end of the war she returned to her secretarial position, and became a legal secretary, which was to ultimately become her career. In 1950, she emigrated from England, to the USA, where she worked as a legal secretary, met and married Melvin Hopper, they resided in Seattle but later moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. This was not to be her life long partner as Olive and Melvin eventually parted ways. Olive moved to California, where she followed her vocation, again, working as a legal secretary, here she married Clyde Maxwell, who predeceased her in 1996. They moved several times, but kept to the basic Newport Beach, Costa Mesa area.

Olive’s passion ran in two significant directions, one being her painting, the other her love of pugs. Olive spent a lot of her leisure time painting portraits, land and sea-scapes, she had a natural talent, and because of these pictures, her memory will always be alive in the hearts of family and close friends, who are lucky enough to own one. Olive and Clyde raised and nurtured three Pugs, Maxi, Misty and Chubby, she worked tirelessly for the Pug Rescue Association, raising thousands of dollars for same, and became a foster mum to numerous rescued pugs. Olive also worked as a volunteer for the Costa Mesa Police Department, and in her spare time crocheted – knitted, bonnets and blankets for project cuddles. Both Clyde and Olive were avid stamp collectors, and had quite an extensive collection, exhibiting all over the world.

Olive was an outgoing, selfless, energetic, generous person, who believed in physical fitness, attending the local spa several times a week.

She will be dearly missed by both family and friends.

We, Olive’s relatives, would like to give special thanks to Marilyn Douglass, Madge Thomson, Donald and Liza Segretti, plus all the other friends and neighbours, that rallied around Olive in her time of need. It was truly appreciated, as Olive did not have any family in the U.S.A.

Donations to your local cancer society, in Olive’s name, would be gratefully accepted.