Dorothy L. Oliva 1943-2022

She was born the daughter of John S. and Mary L. Popovich Kosmo, on Oct. 26, 1943, in Youngstown.

Her formal occupation was homemaker, but she was also known as “the greatest wife and mom.”

She received her master’s degree in business administration in 1995 from Youngstown State University. Just one of the highlights from her time in college was traveling to Istanbul, Turkey, where she studied women in business.

Dottie lived a full life, loved to travel, and was incredibly grateful for all her blessings, including the many fur babies that came into her life, missing them terribly when they had to say goodbye.

She was very active in sports throughout her life, which led her to become a Little League umpire in Northeast Ohio, a 4-H adviser to the Berlin Rough Riders and Dog Club, as well as a Cub Scout troop leader in Berlin Center.

She enjoyed reading her vast library of cookbooks, watching Braves baseball, and Ohio State and Pittsburgh Steelers football. She loved all types of sports, but loved football so much that she was known by family and friends as “Gramma Football.” She was her happiest though when she was in her kitchen preparing delicious meals for her family and anyone else who would be there at mealtime. She enjoyed baking and cooking so very much with her grandchildren, and looked forward to the next time that they could do it again.

Dottie will be deeply missed, always loved and always remembered by her husband, Philip R. Oliva, whom she married June 6, 1964, at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Youngstown; her children, Melissa (Roger) Brown of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Christopher (Ellen) Oliva of Plainview, N.Y. and Eric (Christine) Oliva of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; grandchildren, Samantha Oliva of Genesco, N.Y., Nicklaus Oliva of Plainview, N.Y. and Gabrielle Oliva of Plainview, N.Y; brother, Robert Kosmo; sisters, Rita Billec and Shelley (Edward) Conti; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Oliva, Mr. and Mrs. John Oliva, Roger Oliva and Mary Ann Mills; and numerous family members including cousins, nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Karen Oliva; and brother-in-law, Edward Billec.

A celebration of Dottie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at St. Paul Monastery, 9531 Akron-Canfield Road Canfield, OH 44406.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Haven Health, Havasu Regional Medical Center Wound Care and River Valley Home Health for their compassion.

In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be made in Dottie’s name to The Joanie Abdu Mercy Health Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, 7676 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512.

The Oliva family has entrusted Dottie’s care to Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

(special notice)