(A Tribute to a Life well-lived.)

WINDSOR, VT
Olive Surrell Mackay, a long-time resident of Windsor, Vermont, passed away on April 1st, 2016. She was at home where she and her daughter Sandra Bishop live in Redmond, Washington. She was 94 years old.

Olive had been under hospice care in their home since June of 2014. She dealt with her long illness with the ready smile and upbeat spirit so familiar to her family and friends. She passed away quietly in her sleep with her daughter Sandy, her grandson Scott and her granddaughter-in-law Lori close by. Lori had just read a psalm to her.

The week prior to her passing, she had a visit from her grandson Michael Bishop and his two sons, Maxwell and Mason Bishop who flew in from Honolulu, Hawaii to spend time with her. They shared stories, reminisced and she enjoyed every minute of their time together.

Olive Enola Surrell, was born May 10th, 1921. She was the daughter of George Oliver Surrell and Gertrude Mae Quimby. She was the 7th of 8 children, 6 who survived to adulthood. She had 2 older brothers, Erwin and Ralph, 2 older sisters, Beulah and Belva, and 1 younger sister, Erma. She attended Windsor schools, graduating from Windsor High in 1939.

She met her future husband, John Hannah Mackay in high school. They married in May of 1941. They had one daughter, Sandra. With the exception of briefly living in Brownsville and 2 short trips to live in California, they lived in Windsor their entire married life. When John passed away in August 1991, they had been married for 50 years.

Olive's face and voice were familiar to many who live in Windsor. After high school she went to work at the telephone office in Windsor. In 1951, she became the receptionist and telephone operator at Cone Automatic Machine Tool Company. She was the first person seen by those coming through the front door. Everyone who worked at Cones knew Olive. Hers was the cheerful voice that greeted everyone. She retired in 1983, after 32 years of service.

After retiring, she and John spent their summers in Windsor and winters with her daughter and her family, wherever they were living. Sandra and her husband Edward L. Bishop, Jr. of Windsor lived in many different places. Ed had retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service. At the time Olive retired, Ed and Sandy were living in California.

Olive loved to travel, but she loved her home. After John passed away, Olive continued to spend summers in Windsor and winters with Ed and Sandy. She lived for 56 years in the home she and John built next door to the house where she grew up. After Sandy's husband Ed passed away in 2004, they divided their time between Olive's home in Windsor and Sandy's in Oscoda, Michigan. They spent winters in Washington with Scott and Lori and Christmases in Hawaii with Michael and Marie and Maxwell and Mason.

In 2010, at the age of 89 Olive sold her house in Windsor and moved to Washington. She and Sandy bought a house near Scott and Lori in Redmond. Olive loved living close to Scott and Lori. She was never happier than when spending time with her family. Leaving Windsor was difficult, but Olive loved their new home and loved Washington.

Always adventurous, always courageous, she faced each stage of her life with grace and style. In Windsor, she was known for her love of her flower gardens. She never lost that appreciation or her zest for living. She loved to read and loved to crochet. Most of all she loved to spend time with her family and friends. Her cheerful smile and positive outlook will be deeply missed by us all.

Olive is survived by her daughter Sandra Bishop in Redmond, Washington; her grandson Scott Bishop and his wife Lori Bishop in Redmond, Washington; her grandson Michael Bishop and his wife Marie Shiels and their sons, Maxwell and Mason Bishop in Honolulu, Hawaii; her sister Erma Goodman in Venice, Florida; her sister-in-law Marjorie Surrell in Newport, New Hampshire; and many loved nieces and nephews.

At her wishes, a simple graveside service will be held at the family lot in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor at 11:00am on Friday, May 13, 2016. Scott Bishop will preside over the service. All are invited to join the family for lunch and sharing of memories at the Windsor Station restaurant from 12:00pm-3:00pm following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to; Evergreen Health Hospice Care at 12822 124th Lane, Kirkland, WA 98034-3098 (Memo; "In memoriam for Olive Mackay" )

The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor is entrusted with the arrangements.