Margaret Olore

Margaret Mary Elizabeth Bailey Olore died peacefully on August 2 surrounded by her loving family at Middlebury Convalescent Home where she received exceptional care. She was born on June 5, 1922 in Waterbury to Stephen Bailey and Margaret Dwyer Bailey. A child of the Depression, Peggy as she was known, grew up with a strong work ethic and a devotion to family. Early on she assumed the role of caregiver to her 3 younger sisters, Betty, Helen and Ann and was always helpful to her dear brother Arthur. She did so willingly because her mother was not well and she was the eldest female. That period of her life had a formative influence over her future as a caring nurse and loving mother.

She graduated from Sacred Heart High School and St Mary’s Nursing School in Waterbury where she had many fond friendships. But the most important person to cross her path in her early nursing days was a handsome young doctor named Louis Olore from Presque Isle, Maine who had begun an intern and residency program at St Mary’s Hospital from Tufts University. It was an attraction of opposites: redheaded Irish/Yankee from Connecticut and blue-eyed Italian from Northern Maine. She was strong and feisty and he was shy and compassionate. He proposed to her on call in an ambulance, a sign of the romance they would share for over 70 years. She adopted his passion for the Boston Red Sox and golf; he was the original evolved husband, sharing many household duties unfamiliar to most men of his generation.

Together they happily raised 9 children, through what could have been chaos. Peggy Olore brought order, accountability, fun and most of all love to a welcoming house filled with everyone’s friends. She had a personal devout Catholic faith which guided her life. She was socially gifted, a skilled cook and a gracious entertainer, hosting festive dinner parties with ease. She was a great friend, never missing an opportunity to support those who were dear to her. Her bridge playing was exceptional as was her golf game. She was a great travel partner to her husband, always willing and excited to explore the world. But most of all she was an engaged and caring mother. She was so far ahead of her time in encouraging her 6 daughters to choose paths to help them be strong independent women. She adored her 3 sons always wanting only the best for them. She was a giving, trusting and loyal mother-in-law, a loving grandmother to her 25 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren all of whom affectionately referred to her as Peggi. She will be forever missed by all who were touched by her.

Mrs Olore is survived by her 9 children: Donna Militello of Miami, FL and her husband Richard, Doreen Kelly of Norfolk and her husband Michael, Margaret Shepard of Margate, FL, Paul Olore of Southington and his wife Jane, Louis Olore Jr of Southington and his wife Joyce, Kathryn Goumas of Goshen, NY and her husband William, Jeanne Moye of Fairfield and her husband James, Monica Anderson of Glastonbury and her husband Everett and Stephen Olore of Scarborough ME and his wife Laura.

Mrs. Olore’s family would like to thank Jackie Boahene and Evelyn Atuaful for their tireless devotion and kindness to their mother.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 7, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Bergin Funeral Home 290 East Main St. Waterbury. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. at St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury. Burial will follow in Lake Elise Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Mrs. Olore’s name to Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation,
56 Franklin St, Waterbury, CT 06706

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