Olivia E. Rubright

Olivia E. Rubright, 91, of Dover died Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 in the Hennis Care Centre at Dover following an extended bout with Alzheimers Disease.

Born Dec. 2, 1922 in Akron, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late David A. and Veritas (Hilt) Geffken. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband Albert Wilson Rubright who died Sept. 15, 1973. She was also preceded by a son, Thomas; an infant daughter and her longtime companion, George Auman along with six brothers and two sisters.

Olivia grew up in Akron, Ohio and worked as a nurses aide at St. Thomas Hospital, before marrying Albert on March 19, 1949. The couple moved to Dover with their four sons a decade later when her husband worked for the former Alsco in Sugarcreek.

Over the next 20 years, Olivia raised her sons and was involved with the PTA and various school and church activities. She loved to cook for her family and was an excellent baker as well.

Once her kids went off to college she began working at the former Burger Chef. In later years, she was a poll worker on election day and helped with Mobile Meals and also assisted at St. John's Church in Dover during banquets.

Olivia loved to travel and was a big sports fan. She especially liked California, Las Vegas, Florida and driving the back roads through the deep south. Her favorite teams were the Indians, Browns, Buckeyes, Akron Racers and Crimson Tornadoes. She also enjoyed reading and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

Until advanced Alzheimer's forced her into the nursing home earlier this year at age 91, Olivia did not let the disease slow her down and realized exercise and nutrition was beneficial in fighting it. She would walk 2 miles at Dover Park, including the hills, or workout at the senior center then often attended a Dover High athletic event.

Olivia lost her desire to cook and instead found her greatest enjoyment in dining out each night with her son Denny. Altogether, she ate out over 1000 times in three years. It was not just the food, though, it was the car ride she also enjoyed while listening to Tony Bennett or Karen Carpenter and the many friendly people she met.

She had a wonderful, easy-going personality that everyone liked and a heart of gold. She was never jealous or envious just a content person. She slept well at night.

She will be sadly missed by her family including her three sons, Ron of Cape Coral, Fla., Maurice of Destin, Fla. And Denny (Marie Restifo) of Dover; a granddaughter, Sierra of Alaska, and two sisters, June Evans of Banner, Wyoming and Ruth Carr of Akron.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Oct. 13, 2014 beginning at 3pm at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover with Rev. Thomas Dunkle officiating. Interment will be held on Wednesday at the Mt. Zwingli Cemetery in Wadsworth. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 2-3pm. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Olivia may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries and flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

A special thanks goes out to Hennis Care Centre in Dover for their wonderful care of our mother and to Hospice for earlier care. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663