Obituary of Olga Mandeville

SPENCERPORT – Olga Mandeville passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018 in Pittsford. Predeceased by her parents, Dimche and Velika Bozinovich, her brother Alex Bozinovich and sister, Rozy Marion, she was born Nov. 14, 1929 in Rochester. She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Ray E. Mandeville; two daughters, Nancy (James) Gertner, Janet (Jonathan) Cummings; grandchildren, Jason Schultz (Marya Kaszibinski), Michael (Casey) Schultz, Emily Cummings, Patrick Cummings, Allyson (Timothy) Bouchard, Veronica Gertner and Jacqueline Gertner (Andrew Belfield); her brother, Peter Bozinovich; nieces, nephews, and friends. To share a memory of Olga, visit www.walkerbrotherfh.com.

Olga's Life Story will be shared during visitation on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 4 – 8 p.m. at Walker Brothers Funeral Home, 15 West Ave. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the funeral home 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Smile Train, 633 Third Ave., 9^th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

Olga Mandeville passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018 at Glenmere Assisted Living at Cloverwood in Pittsford. Predeceased by her parents, Dimche and Velika Bozinovich, her brother Alex Bozinovich and sister, Rozy Marion, she was born Nov. 14, 1929 in Rochester.  Her parents, who emigrated from Macedonia, moved to McCleary Road in Spencerport when she was 4 to an old farmhouse during the Depression.  Her parents farmed the land while her father worked on the railroad sustaining Olga and her three siblings. Starting during World War II, her mother was employed at Eastman Kodak.

Olga helped her mother with farming and she loved to play sports with her school friends and her passion was reading.  She played baseball and basketball and loved to ice skate.  She was a learner throughout her life often reading three or four books simultaneously.

Olga attended Spencerport schools graduating in the high school class of 1947, serving as class secretary, among many other club and social activities.  She kept her high school friends close throughout her life, organizing regular outings and lunches with up to eight of her closest friends.  All shared their experiences in life through many decades of contact and these outings.

Olga graduated from SUNY Brockport at the top of her class with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  She then started a long and passionate career teaching first, second, and third graders in the Rochester City School District.  Most years were spent teaching at No. 34 School.  Olga loved and cared for her students as much as she did for her two daughters.  She would share many school stories around the dinner table each night and remember students decades later. 

Her own second grade teacher sparked her interest in teaching at a young age.  She remained close to Miss Ratigan through the years with many visits, cards and letters.

 Olga met the love of her life on a blind date to go square dancing.  This was the beginning of a romance that would last more than 65 years.  Ray E. Mandeville and Olga married in the Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester on Aug. 23, 1953.  Olga and Ray purchased land on McCleary Road and built their family home continuing her lifelong love for Spencerport.  They raised two daughters, Nancy and Janet in that home.  Including her girlhood family home, Olga resided on McCleary Road and in Spencerport for more than 80 years.

Olga and Ray welcomed their grandchildren and enjoyed their many visits and everyday family gatherings playing games and watching TV together.  Olga and Ray were avid Yankees fans.  Olga could recite team members’ life stories as well as their tenure with the team and their baseball histories.  If anyone called the house when the Yankees were playing, callers would hear “The game is on,” and a quick good-bye.

Olga and Ray loved to walk Greece Towne Mall and stop for lunch or dinner at Critics Restaurant.  They befriended many on the staff learning their stories and remaining close.  Olga loved to connect with people and hear about their lives and their children always proudly sharing the latest news on her daughters and grandchildren.  Olga was most proud of her grandchildren, often regaling all who she visited with on their many achievements and her love for each one.

Olga and Ray loved to travel.  Often visiting family in Florida and California, they also traveled to Europe and Hawaii and enjoyed Sunday rides throughout the Rochester area.

Olga will be terribly missed by all who loved her. She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend.  She would like to be remembered as a good, kind, and caring person who helped others along her life's journey.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Ray E. Mandeville; two daughters, Nancy (James) Gertner, Janet (Jonathan) Cummings; grandchildren, Jason Schultz (Marya Kaszubinski), Michael (Casey) Schultz, Emily Cummings, Patrick Cummings, Allyson (Timothy) Bouchard, Veronica Gertner and Jacqueline Gertner (Andrew Belfield); her brother, Peter Bozinovich; nieces, nephews, and friends.