Artie Olivera went to be with the Lord on April 16, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. Artie was born on June 19, 1924, to the late Joseph and Arabia Ortega. She was a sixth generation native Californian of SPanish heritage and a direct descendant of Jose Francisco de Ortega, who was the first Captain of the Presidio of Santa Barbara. She was also the grandniece of the founder of the Ortega Chile Company.
Born and raised in Ventura, California, Artie grew up on Meta Street, present day Thompson Boulevard. As a teenager, she loved spending her days at the beach swimming out around the Ventura Pier, which was nearly twice as long back then. She also loved to dance, especially to Big Band Music.
In 1941 she met the love of her lofe, Bob Olivera. During their courtship, Bob would always bring her a white Gardenia, which she always wore in her hair. On New Year's Eve, after telling her family that she was staying at a friend's house, she and Bob drove all night to Las Vegas, Nevada and eloped. By New Years's Day 1942, they were husband and wife. Since she was only 17 1/2 years old at the time they kept their marriage a secret until she was 18.
In 1942, while Bob was training in the Army, they moved to San Jose, California then Jacksonville, Florida, where from he shipped out to Europe during World War II. She rode the train all the way back to Ventura by herself while expecting their first child, son Bobby Joe. nShe and Bob were reunited when the War ended in 1945. They went on to have two more children, daughters Denise and Roberta. Artie was a stay-at-home Mom and homemaker. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed many family vacations as well as camping trips to June Lake, California, they took over the years. They would frequently visit Las Vegas, Nevada during its heyday of the "Rat Pack" era, amazed at how much it had grown since that cold New Year's Eve so many years before. Artie and Bob were married 64 years when Bob passed away in 2006. Artie would always say, "And, they said it wouldn't last".
Her loving husband, Bob Olivera and sister, Virginia Ortega, preceded her in death. She is survived by her son Bobby Joe (wife Carol) Olivera; daughters, Denise (husband John) Olivares and Roberta (husband Robert) Medrano, all of Ventura; grandchildren, Joseph Olivares, Desiree Olivares-Ranallo and Veronica Frazier; great-grandchildren, Alec Gasca, Haley Guzikowski, Joseph Salgado, Alyssa Salgado and Beyla Olivares.
Thank you to the staff of Haave House Assisted Living Facility in Oak View, California, for their loving care over the last few years. A special thank you to Maria, who took such good care of our Mom.
Mom, we love you more than words can say. You will forever be in our hearts. Now, you and Daddy will be together again.
Visitation Monday evening April 22, 2013 from 4 to 8pm with a Rosary at 7pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME 757 E. Main Street Ventura. Funeral Mass Tuesday April 23, 2013 at 10am in San Buenaventura Mission, followed by interment in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.